Plastic waste is set to triple (globally), with less than 20% of it being recycled by 2060. In this backdrop, EPR has emerged as a globally recognized policy principle to tackle this plastic crisis.

EPR for Plastic Packaging

• Genesis: The Plastic Waste Management Rules (2016) introduced EPR & Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change notified the Extended Producer Guidelines for plastic packaging in 2022.
• Tenure: Till fiscal year 2027–28.
• PIBOs: The 'polluters' identified in the plastic waste management value chain are producers, importers, brand owners, and manufacturers (PIBOs).
  • PIBOs are responsible for collecting back 100% of the plastic packaging they put in the market.
• EPR regime: EPR certificates are generated by plastic waste processors (PWPs) for recycling & disposal, which are traded with polluters.
  • PIBOs must purchase EPR certificates from the PWPs which act as proof of compliance.

Challenges in the current EPR regime for plastic:

• High number of importers operate without being monitored or regulated. 
• Difficult to distinguish between packaging and non-packaging plastic waste.
• PWPs have been issuing fraudulent certificates to various PIBOs.

Recommendations: Establishing fair EPR pricing; Invalidate fake EPR certificates; Include the informal sector in EPR guidelines, etc.