WHY IN NEWS?
The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change announced the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022, which notified the instructions on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for plastic packaging.
Plastic waste management (Amendment) Rules, 2022:
Classification of plastics
Category 1: Rigid plastic packaging will be included under this category.
Category 2: Flexible plastic packaging of a single layer or multilayer (more than one layer with different types of plastic), plastic sheets and covers made of plastic sheet, carry bags, plastic sachet or pouches will be included under this category.
Category 3: Multi-layered plastic packaging (at least one layer of plastic and at least one layer of material other than plastic) will be included under this category.
Category 4: Plastic sheets or like used for packaging as well as carry bags made of composite plastics fall under this category.
The reuse of rigid plastic packaging material has been mandated in the guidelines to reduce the use of fresh plastic material for packaging.
Extended producer responsibility certificates will help set up a market mechanism for plastic waste management.
Centralized online portal by Central pollution control board (CPCB) for registration and filing annual returns by producers, importers, brand owners.
Environmental compensation will be levied based upon polluter pays principle on non-fulfillment of EPR targets by producers, importers, and brand owners, to protect and improve the quality of the environment and preventing, control, and abating environment pollution.
A committee constituted by the CPCB under the chairmanship of the CPCB chairman will recommend measures to the environment ministry for effective implementation of EPR, including amendments to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) guidelines.
State Pollution Control Board (SPCBs)have been tasked to submit an annual report on the EPR portal concerning its fulfillment by producers, importers and brand-owners, and plastic waste processors in the state/Union Territory to the CPCB.
Important terms:
Biodegradable plastics means that plastics, other than compostable plastics, which undergoes complete degradation by biological processes under ambient environment (terrestrial or in water) conditions, in the specified time periods, without leaving any microplastics, or visible, distinguishable, or toxic residue, which have adverse environmental impacts, adhering to laid down standards of Bureau of Indian Standards and certified by Central Pollution Control Board.
End of Life disposal means using plastic waste for the generation of energy and includes co-processing (example in cement kilns) or waste to oil or for road construction as per Indian Road Congress guidelines.
Extended Producer Responsibility means the responsibility of a producer for the environmentally sound management of the product until the end of its life.
Significance of the new rules:
To develop new alternatives to plastics and aid the move towards sustainable packaging.
To develop the circular economy of reuse, refurbish and recycle.
To reduce plastic pollution in the country as the UNDP aims to triple the plastic waste management to 100 cities in India by 2024.
To protect aquatic ecosystems also, as the plastic waste tends to end up oceans choking the life there.
To invoke responsible behavior from citizens to change and contribute to waste management.
Way Forward
An eco-friendly product, which is a complete substitute for plastic in all uses, has not been found to date. In the absence of a suitable alternative, it is impractical and undesirable to impose a blanket ban on the use of plastic all over the country. The real challenge is to improve plastic waste management systems.
Other wastes like e-waste management should also be integrated so that a comprehensive approach can be deduced to tackle the menace.
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