The Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC) has notified guidelines on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for plastic packaging, with an aim to eliminate single-use plastics and promote alternatives.
The latest guidelines will come into force with immediate effect, the notification said.
“The guidelines not only provide a framework to strengthen the circular economy of plastic packaging waste, but also promote development of new alternatives to plastics. They provide a roadmap for businesses to move towards sustainable plastic packaging,”
Producers of plastic packaging, the notification said, will have to manage 35% of the ‘Q1’ waste in metric tonnes in 2021-22.Q1 is calculated by adding the last two years’ average weights of plastic packaging material sold and pre-consumer plastic packaging waste, and subtracting the annual quantity of plastic packaging supplied to brand owners.
The EPR target will be increased to 70% in 2022-23 and 100% from 2023-24 onwards. “Similar EPR targets apply for importers and brand owners but the quantity will be different depending upon the quantity of packaging waste they are responsible for,” the notification added.The recycling obligation for producers will be 50% for rigid plastics in 2024-25, 60% in 2025-26, 70% in 2026-27, and 80% from 2027-28 onwards. “Similar timelines also apply to brands and importers,”
The government is trying to reduce the manufacture and use of virgin plastics as much as possible, a senior official from the environment ministry said, requesting anonymity.
“For example, if an e-commerce firm is mandated to recycle 200 tonnes of flexible plastic packaging sheets under the notification, then it can just get the same amount of plastic packaging collected from anywhere and get it recycled and get a certificate for it. This will create a market in plastic collection and recycling. The certificates of recycling can also be traded. We had the draft notification in public domain for 60 days and we also consulted several industry bodies and industries who gave their suggestions during the past few months,” the official added.
