Plastic Waste Management Authorization

From poly bags to water bottles, the consumption of plastic is everywhere and in fact, in recent years, it has grown to a great extent and so has its waste output. India, the second most populous country in the world, produces 3.4 million tonnes of plastic waste in a year and what’s most shocking here is that only 30 percent of it gets recycled. So, where does the rest go? Often to the overfilled landfills or gets dumped in open spaces and water bodies, which not only pollutes the environment but also proves to be pretty detrimental to the health of people, especially children. What’s the solution to this poor situation? The answer is Plastic Waste Management Authorization, which ensures the processing of plastic waste, or we can say, plastic scrap generated in the country happens in an environmentally friendly and efficient way. 

The motive behind this is to inculcate the culture of recycling in the Indian plastic waste sector. With a Plastic Waste Management Certificate, PWPs, also known as Plastic Waste Processors, can conform to the existing waste management rules and keep their activities immune to any legal troubles. Let’s understand this in a better way.

What is Plastic Waste Management Authorization?

What is Plastic Waste? In simple terms, Plastic waste is nothing but discarded plastic scrap. It can be biodegradable, non-biodegradable, plastic packaging waste, pre or post-consumer, thermostat plastic, etc. Now, with the rising amount of plastic waste, its processing becomes of paramount importance, and here comes the Plastic Waste Management Authorization into the picture. As per the Second Amendment of the Plastic Waste Management Rules 2022, every Plastic Waste Processor (PWP) and recycler are required to get a Plastic Waste Management certificate from the concerned State Pollution Control Board, or else, they won’t be allowed to continue their activities legally and can face legal penalties for its violation. Besides this, PWPs are also under a legal obligation to get registered through the online centralized portal developed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). This way, the Indian government seeks to bring accountability, traceability, and transparency when it comes to the fulfillment of EPR Obligations. 

• Plastic Waste Processor

Here, some might think what is a Plastic Waste Processor or EPR? Let’s start with PWP first. As per the Plastic Waste Management Rules, PWPs are the recyclers of Plastic Waste and the entities involved in the processing of Plastic Waste to use it as a source of energy or oil.

Except in cases where feedstock chemicals are produced as a result for further use in the production of plastic which may then be considered under recycling, or industrial composting. 

• Extended Producer Responsibility

Extended Producer Responsibility or EPR is an environmental protection policy adopted by the Indian government to make Producers, Importers, and Brand Owners (PIBOs) responsible for the waste management they are generating. Under the waste management rules, these entities are required to get an EPR certificate and fulfill the EPR obligations, which means effective collection, transportation, storage, treatment, recycling, or disposal of their plastic products. And to meet these obligations, the majority of them often make arrangements with the PWPs and recyclers.

There are several types of plastic waste out there, including plastic packaging waste generated due to plastic used for protecting, preserving, storing, and transporting products. And, it’s obvious that the environmental impact and processing of different plastic waste vary as per their characteristics. As per the guidelines on EPR released by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, plastic packaging waste can be classified into the four following categories. 

• Category I:- Packaging made of rigid plastic, meant to prevent the deformation of its inner contents. 
• Category II:- Packaging made of flexible plastic, which can be single-layered or multi-layered (more than one layer with different types of plastic). Covers made of plastic sheets, carry bags, plastic sachets or pouches come under this category.
• Category III:- Multi-layered packaging made up of plastic. Under this category, there must be at least one layer of plastic and at least one layer of material other than plastic.
• Category IV:- Packaging made of plastic sheets or likewise materials. Carry bags made of compostable plastic also come under this category.

Understanding these categories of Plastic Packaging becomes significant for Plastic Waste Processors and Recyclers and the reason is the targets of recycling vary for PIBOs as per these categories and this way they can help these entities achieve them on time.

• Ensure legal Compliances

The Indian laws mandate PWPs and recyclers of Plastic waste to obtain the Plastic Waste Management Authorization and Certificate. This means getting them is not upon one’s mood as their absence can bring legal troubles to the doors of these entities. This way PWM authorization plays an important role as it ensures the processing of plastic waste happens in compliance with the waste management rules and regulations. With this, these entities can also carry out their activities without worrying about the violation of any law.

• A Great Business Idea

For many, the plastic waste sector is nothing but a matter of concern but for entrepreneurs of the country, it can be a golden opportunity to establish a lucrative business. How come? You'd be surprised to know that the revenue generated by the plastic waste management sector all over the world was over 33 billion dollars, all alone in 2021 and it has been growing since then. Here, how India with its rising plastic waste can miss the opportunity? With a Plastic Waste License, entrepreneurs can set up plastic waste recycling/processing facilities and expect a great return on their investment, while tackling plastic pollution into a bargain. 

• Generate Large Scale Employment

Management of plastic waste, including its recycling, requires an extensive workforce, and the more entities invest in it with time, the more people they are going to recruit for this purpose. This means recycling plastic waste can create tons of jobs for the people of India and we’re not saying this out of the air as it’s the experts’ opinion. And this becomes truer than ever with the government of India starting to provide financial and marketing assistance to the entities involved in the plastic waste sector. 

• Improves Reputation in the Market

As a producer, importer, or brand owner, with whom you would like to make arrangements for the processing of plastic waste to meet EPR obligations? PWP/Recyclers with or without PWM license? Of course, the former would be the choice of the majority and why wouldn’t it be such a case? Plastic Waste Management authorization helps Plastic Waste Processors and Recyclers improve their reputation in the market and build credibility with their clients. 

• More Recycling, Less Pollution

Plastic Waste Management Certificate promotes the recycling of plastic waste in ways that don’t pose any harm to the environment and the general public. Besides this, it also ensures that more recycling of plastic waste happens, so that less of it ends up in landfills and incineration plants, hence bringing down the negative impacts that unmanaged plastic waste otherwise would have on the ecosystem.

As per the PWM rules, it is mandatory for a Plastic Waste Processor to get registered on the EPR portal developed by the Central Pollution Control Board. For such registration, the followings are the documents every PWP needs to submit - 

• GST certificate, PAN card, and the CIN (Corporate Identification Number) of the company
• Aadhar card and the PAN card of the Authorized person
• Process flow diagram
• Mandatory consents under AIR/Water Act.
• Authorizations under HWM (Hazardous Waste Management) rules issued by SPCB (Pollution Control Committee in case of Union Territories). 
• Pictures with Geotags of the raw material storage area, production area, and product dispatch area. 
• Pictures with Geotags of the machinery installed in the plastic waste processing plant.
• Copy of Electricity Bill.
• An analysis report of characterization of waste generated.
• Copy of documents giving Occupational safety and health aspects
• Copy of document giving details about the measures in place to control pollution.
• Copy of document giving details about onsite /offsite Disaster management plant 
• Covering letter 
• Document regarding any other information which the PWP wishes to submit 

Documents Required to Get Plastic Waste Management Certificate from SPCB

• GST, PAN, and CIN of the company.
• Aadhar card and PAN card of the Authorized person.
• Copy of CTE (Consent to Establish) and CTO (Consent to operate) with existing validity.
• Process flow diagram 
• Valid consent and authorization under Hazardous Waste Act
• DPR (Detailed Project Report)

• Documentation:- The very first step for a PWP is to keep ready all the documents required for its registration on the centralized EPR portal for Plastic Packaging. 
• Application Form:- On the CPCB EPR portal, fill out the applicable application form and attach all the asked documents. 
• Processing of the application 
• The CPCB officials will review the application, along with the documents for verification. If there is any discrepancy, the CPCB officials will inform the applicant about the same within seven working days of the receipt of the application. 
• The applicant must respond within thirty days of the receipt of CPCB’s communication, otherwise, its application will be considered withdrawn. 
• If CPCB does not respond to the applicant within one month of the receipt of the complete application in its office, the PWP registration certificate will be presumed to be generated. For any delay, the CPCB officials will be held accountable and required to give an explanation for the same. 
• Cancellation of the PWP registration 

If any information or document is found to be false during the CPCB verification process, which also includes an audit by a third party or at any other stage, the PWP registration will become liable to be canceled. If the CPCB finds a PWP in violation of its regulations, it will issue a notice regarding the same to that entity. In such cases, the PWP gets the opportunity to present its side in front of the CPCB within fifteen days of the issuance of notice. 

Procedure to Get Plastic Waste Management Authorization from SPCB/PCC

An entity gets Plastic Waste Management Authorization from the concerned State Pollution Control Board or PCC under whose purview it comes. However, the process to apply for it is similar to a great extent throughout PAN India. The followings are the steps one may see while applying for a plastic waste license - 

• Documentation required for Plastic Waste Management Certificate
• Fill up and Submission of registration application form on the SPSB/PCC portal
• Inspection of the submitted documents and information. 
• Grant of Plastic Waste License if the officials of SPCB/PCC find every submitted information and document satisfactory.
• Refusal of the registration application if the applicant submits any wrong information/document and fails to rectify it within the given time.

Being trusted by hundreds and thousands of businesses, Corpseed gives you all the reasons to choose its services for Plastic Waste Management Authorization and Plastic Waste Processor Certification. With teams of professionals having both experience and expertise with respect to the rules and regulations of India, Corpseed can offer all the assistance you seek at every stage of the process. 

How can we assist you?

• Preparing the documents.
• Consultation from experts.
• Regular follow-up with the government
• Prompt delivery of license/permits/certificates.  
• Compliance with the regulations and norms.
• End-to-end service.