Thought Leadership

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for plastic waste

insight featured image
Contents

India generates 3.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually. To address this issue, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) introduced the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 (PWM Rules). These rules mandate plastic waste generators to reduce waste generation, prevent littering, store waste separately, and hand over segregated waste as per regulations.

In February 2022, the Ministry issued detailed guidelines on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for plastic packaging. These guidelines outline the roles and responsibilities of producers, importers, brand owners, recyclers, and waste processors in implementing EPR. The PWM Rules, through EPR, have placed responsibility on producers, importers, and brand owners (PIBOs).

To ensure compliance, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has begun issuing show-cause notices to all unregistered PIBOs. This step aims to encourage their registration and adherence to the PWM Rules, fostering responsible waste management practices.

Grant Thornton Bharat can assist PIBOs in filing applications with the State Pollution Control Board or Central Pollution Control Board, obtaining registration certificates, resolving ambiguities, and submitting annual filings.