Centre for Science and Environment release a report on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Plastic Packaging

Posted 04 Nov 2024

2 min read

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.

About EPR:

Definition: It’s a policy principle that holds producers accountable for the entire lifecycle of their products, particularly during the take-back, recycling, and final disposal phases.
Elements of EPR: Producer responsibility, Waste minimization, Lifecycle approach, Polluter pays principle, etc.
Types of waste streams under EPR policy: Packaging, Electronic, Battery, Hazardous Waste, etc.
Implementing agencies: Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs) are 3^rd party agencies that help polluters comply with EPR.