EPR For Plastic Waste Management

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is the term used to describe the practice of transferring end-of-life management of products and materials to the makers of those goods. i.e. the producer. The Guidelines offer a framework to improve the cycle economy of plastic packaging waste, encourage the creation of novel plastic substitutes, and outline further steps firms can take to transition to sustainable plastic packaging. In order to limit the use of new plastic material for packaging, the standards require the reuse of rigid plastic packaging materials. The Guidelines outline a framework for collecting environmental compensation based on the polluter pays principle from producers, importers, and brand owners who fail to meet extended producer responsibility targets in order to safeguard the environment, improve its quality, and stop, control, and mitigate environmental pollution. The cash raised must be used for the environmentally responsible collection, recycling, and end-of-life disposal of uncollected plastic garbage.

India is believed to generate 25,00 tons of plastic waste every day. So much so that plastic is entering the food chain. This can alter human hormones and cause life-threatening diseases. Thus, it is imperative for governments to step up and enforce laws to combat this crisis. For this Government introduces the term Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in the 2016 Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016.

Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 defines the Extended Producer’s Responsibility (EPR), as the responsibility of a producer for the environmentally sound management of the product until the end of its life.

Advantages of an EPR Registration for EPR Waste Management-

• Environmental Protection: Extended producer responsibility (EPR) is a strategy for environmental protection that requires the manufacturers to take ownership of every stage of the product's lifecycle, especially with regard to the recycling of its packaging, in order to lessen the overall environmental impact of a product and its packaging.
• An improved way for waste 11 management: ERP authorizations support businesses in making more informed choices about waste collection, management, recycling, and disposal. By doing so they might strengthen their current waste management approach, further making it more effective and 
• Improved Market Reputation: The reputation and goodwill of the organizations are improved with EPR authorization. An EPR license proves a business's dedication to reducing the waste produced by its goods and resource consumption. The major players in business closely monitor these regulations to raise their standing in the sector.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) applies to the following plastic packaging categories:

• Category I: Packaging made of rigid plastic
• Category II: Carry bags, plastic sachets, or pouches, single-layer or multilayer flexible plastic packaging which is more than one layer with various types of plastic, plastic sheets, or similar covers made of plastic sheets.
• Category III: Container made of plastic layers at least one layer of plastic and at least one layer of material other than plastic.
• Category IV: Plastic sheet used for packaging as well as compostable plastic carry bags

The producers, within a period of six months from the date of publication of rules, shall work out modalities for the waste collection system based on Extended Producers Responsibility and involving State Urban Development Departments, either individually or collectively, through their own distribution channel or through the local body concerned;

Every producer shall maintain a record of details of the person engaged in the supply of plastic used as raw material to manufacture carry bags or plastic sheets or like or cover made of plastic sheet or multi-layered packaging.

The following entities shall register for an EPR registration certificate on the centralized EPR portal developed by CPCB:

• Producer
• Importer
• Brand owner
• Plastic Waste Processor engaged in  (a) Recycling, (b) Waste to energy, (c) Waste to oil, and (d) Industrial composting.

Who Needs an EPR for Plastic Waste Management?

• Every Producer, Brand Owner, recycler, and Manufacturer of plastic has to obtain a registration from the State Pollution Control Board or the Pollution Control Committee of the Union Territory concerned.
• The Plastic Waste Management rules apply to every waste generator, local body, Gram Panchayat, manufacturer, Importers and producer of Plastic Materials

Responsibility of Plastic Waste Management Certificate

• Recycling
• Use of recycled materials 
• Reuse 
• End-of-life disposal 
• Optional participation in plastics collection and recovery
• File yearly returns
• Present certification proof (Plastic credits)

On February 16, 2022, the Government of India's Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change published a notification amending the PWM Rules, requiring producers, importers, brand owners (PIBOs), and plastic waste processors to adhere to the Extended Producer Responsibility guidelines outlined in Schedule II of the PWM Rules.

Producers, Importers, Brand-Owners, and Plastic Waste processors must register through the centralized online EPR portal created by the Central Pollution Control Board in accordance with EPR rules for plastic packaging (CPCB). The CPCB must register PIBOs for EPR for the management of plastic waste.

PIBOs must register with the relevant State Pollution Control Boards if they operate in one or more states or UTs. PIBOs must register with CPCB if they conduct business in more than two states or UTs.

• Documentation: It is essential to have a copy of all necessary documents on hand in the file types of pdf, jpg, or png before completing the application.
• Registration for login credentials: The application process begins with self-registration on the centralized portal to obtain login credentials, followed by filling out the application.
• Submission of application:  Following self-registration, the applicant will be sent login information for submitting the application form. For producers, brand owners, and importers, separate application pages have been created. For EPR Registration, the applicant must complete each section's information and upload all required papers.
• Submission of application fee: The application fees must be submitted with the registration application by the applicant. The payment gateway built into the portal must be used to pay the fees online.
• Processing of application: The online applications submitted by PIBOs will be forwarded to the relevant SPCBs/PCCs on the same site for further processing if they only operate in one or two states. CPCB will handle the rest of the applications.
• Grant of EPR Registration: For granting an EPR registration, the registration application must be processed within 15 days by authorized personnel. Applications will be denied if incorrect information or documents are discovered to have been submitted. CPCB/SPCB/PCC will provide EPR registration certificates to PIBOs using a digital signature included in the portal if the application is determined to be complete.

Procedure to Apply for Plastic Waste Management Authorization / License

• Apply Online /offline for Plastic Waste Management Registration.
• Attach the Required documents
• Submit the form to the concerned Authorities
• Liasoning with concerned departments.
• If the application & documents are found to be satisfied by Govt. officials
• License/certificate issued.

Marking or labeling

• Each plastic carry bag and multi-layered packaging shall have the following information printed in English namely,

1. Name, registration number of the manufacturer, and thickness in case of carry bag
2. Name and registration number of the manufacturer in case of multi-layered packaging

Name and certificate number in case of carrying bags made from compostable plastic

• PAN, GST, CIN
• IEC (for importer) of the Company
• Aadhar / PAN of Authorized person
• DIC Registration
• Process flow diagrams (for producers & PWPs only)
• Consent issued by SPCB/PCC
• Scanned copy of signatures of authorized persons.
• Cover letter
• Geo-tagged pictures of raw material storage area, production area, product dispatch area, and plant machinery.
• Documents regarding any other information that the unit wishes to provide.

For PIBOs

• Less than 1000 TPA- Rs. 10,000
• Between 1,000-10,000 TPA- Rs. 20,000
• Greater than 10,000 TPA- Rs. 50,000

For PWPs

• Less than 200 TPA- Rs. 5,000
• Between 200-2000 TPA- Rs.20,000
• More than 2000 TPA- Rs. 50,000

Renewal for Plastic Waste Management

• The cost of renewal shall be the same as the cost of EPR's initial registration.
• Annual Processing Charges shall be 25% of EPR Application Fees.
• Four months before the Registration's expiration, PIBO must submit the renewal application and the necessary supporting documentation.