Digital Desk: The Union environment ministry has announced entire guidelines on extended producer responsibility (EPR) for plastic packaging, minister Bhupender Yadav expressed on Thursday, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment to abolish single-use plastics.
Yadav expressed the new Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules 2022 provide a framework for bolstering the circular economy of plastic packaging waste and encouraging options to plastic in a social media post late Thursday night.
The policies set a framework for enhancing the circular economy of plastic packaging waste and encouraging the development of new plastic alternatives. In a tweet, Yadav stated that they give a blueprint for companies to relocate toward sustainable plastic packaging.
According to the notification, the new measures are formed to take effect immediately.
Plastics will be classified into four categories under the new rules: category 1 will include rigid plastic packaging; category 2 will include flexible plastic packaging, either single layer or multilayer (more than one layer with different types of plastic), plastic sheets and covers, carry bags, plastic sachets, and pouches.
Multi-layered plastic packaging (at least one layer of plastic and at least one layer of material other than plastic) will be classified as category 3, and plastic sheet or similar packaging, as well as composable plastic, carry bags will be classified as category 4.
The EPR encompasses the reuse, recycling, utilization of recycled plastic content, and end-of-life non - biodegradable plastic packing by manufacturers, exporters, and marketing companies.
Producers, importers, and brand owners will be required to submit details of recycling certifications exclusively from registered recyclers and the amount submitted for end-of-life disposal by June 30 of the next fiscal year while making yearly returns on the online site.
According to the statement, the website will cross-check the information submitted by producers, importers, brand owners, and registered plastic waste processors.
In the event of a discrepancy, the lower value would be used to satisfy manufacturers', importers', and brand-owners EPR obligations. The certifications would be verified by the Central Pollution Control Board, State Pollution Control Board, or Pollution Control Committee, as the case may be.
The government has also requested that the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) create a centralized online platform by March 31 to register and file yearly returns by producers, importers, brand owners, and plastic waste processors of plastic packaging waste.
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