regulations

In a clarification issued on Thursday, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) said plastic cups and trays are used as packaging for protecting, preserving, storing, and transporting products as per the definition of plastic packaging given in the guidelines on EPR for plastic packaging, will be covered under the EPR guidelines.

Wales and the other UK nations have introduced new "polluter pays" rules, which will also make companies that sell packaged goods pay for their waste to be recycled.

Companies responsible for the most commonly-littered items will also be required to pay for the clean-up in Wales and Scotland.

The "landmark changes" are part of Welsh Government efforts to become a 'zero waste nation' by 2050, and will come into force in 2024.

Wales is ranked third in the world for domestic recycling, the Welsh Government said.

Taking forward the clarion call given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to eliminate single-use plastics, the environment ministry has notified comprehensive guidelines on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) on plastic packaging, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said on Thursday.

Announcing the notification of the new Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022 through social media late Thursday night, Yadav said the guidelines provide a framework to strengthen the circular economy of plastic packaging waste and promote alternatives to plastic.

Soft drink manufacturers will be required to use a clear polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottle for packaging, instead of colored bottles whose recyclability is said to be not critical to improving the environment.

Clear plastics are always preferred in the recycled materials market, and have the highest material value because transparent plastic can typically be dyed with greater flexibility.

The National Green Tribunal has directed the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to finalise the draft Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Amendment Regulations, 2020 within three months.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said the issue of use of plastic bottles and multi layered plastic packages for packaging of carbonated soft drinks, liquor and other items also needs to be further considered by the concerned authorities.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to finalize the draft Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Amendment Regulations, 2020 within three months.

The green panel also directed the concerned authorities to consider the issue of the use of plastic bottles and multi-layered plastic packages for packaging of carbonated soft drinks, liquor and other items.