Extended Producers Responsibility (EPR) in Maharashtra
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a policy aimed at reducing the environmental impact of a product and its packaging by holding product manufacturers responsible for the entire lifecycle of their products, including take-back, recycling, and final disposal. The producer, who makes design and marketing decisions, is primarily responsible for EPR.
Definitions:
“Producer” (P) refers to a person engaged in the manufacture or import of carry bags, multilayered packaging, plastic sheets, or similar products. It includes industries or individuals using plastic sheets or similar products for packaging or wrapping commodities.
“Importer” (I) refers to a person who imports plastic packaging products or products with plastic packaging, carry bags, multilayered packaging, plastic sheets, or similar products.
“Brand Owner” (BO) refers to a person or company that sells any commodity under a registered brand label or trademark.
“Post-consumer plastic packaging waste” refers to plastic packaging waste generated by the end-use consumer after the intended use of packaging is completed and is no longer being used for its intended purpose.
“Pre-consumer plastic packaging waste” refers to plastic packaging waste generated in the form of rejects or discards during the manufacturing of plastic packaging and during the packaging of products, including rejects and discards before the plastic packaging reaches the end-use consumer of the product.
Get EPR Certificate
Extended Producers Responsibility (EPR) in Maharashtra
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a policy aimed at reducing the environmental impact of a product and its packaging by holding product manufacturers responsible for the entire lifecycle of their products, including take-back, recycling, and final disposal. The producer, who makes design and marketing decisions, is primarily responsible for EPR.
Definitions:
“Producer” (P) refers to a person engaged in the manufacture or import of carry bags, multilayered packaging, plastic sheets, or similar products. It includes industries or individuals using plastic sheets or similar products for packaging or wrapping commodities.
“Importer” (I) refers to a person who imports plastic packaging products or products with plastic packaging, carry bags, multilayered packaging, plastic sheets, or similar products.
Get EPR Certificate
“Brand Owner” (BO) refers to a person or company that sells any commodity under a registered brand label or trademark.
“Post-consumer plastic packaging waste” refers to plastic packaging waste generated by the end-use consumer after the intended use of packaging is completed and is no longer being used for its intended purpose.
“Pre-consumer plastic packaging waste” refers to plastic packaging waste generated in the form of rejects or discards during the manufacturing of plastic packaging and during the packaging of products, including rejects and discards before the plastic packaging reaches the end-use consumer of the product.
If you are a producer, importer, or brand owner with EPR obligations in Maharashtra, you can follow the steps below for registration:
Step 1: Register with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Maharashtra State Pollution Control Board (MPCB).
Step 2: Collect waste through an authorized waste management agency.
Step 3: Collect and aggregate relevant documents.
Step 4: Submit quarterly reports to CPCB.
Step 5: Submit an annual report on extended producer responsibility liability fulfillment.
UNTOUCHED PROBLEM OF MULTI-LAYER PLASTIC WASTE
As per the 2019-2020 report by the Central Pollution Control Board, India recycles approximately 60% of the plastic waste produced. However, 40% of plastic consumption consists of flexible and mostly multilayered plastic waste, which is often left uncollected and littered due to its low value. Previously, there were no available technologies to recycle this type of plastic waste.
PLASTIC WASTE MANAGEMENT RULES, 2016
According to the Plastic Waste Management Rules of 2016, those who generate plastic waste must take measures to minimize its generation, avoid littering, ensure proper storage, and hand it over for proper disposal. The rules also define the responsibilities of local bodies, gram panchayats, waste generators, retailers, and street vendors for managing plastic waste. Furthermore, the rules impose Extended Producer Responsibility on Producers, Importers, and Brand Owners for both pre-consumer and post-consumer plastic packaging waste.
SALIENT FEATURES OF PWM RULE
The rule now includes compostable plastic, and PIBOs need to register separately for all categories. The EPR target slabs are set at 25%, 70%, and 100%, with obligations for minimum recycling and re-using rigid plastic. The surplus EPR certificates can be generated, and they can be sold or purchased on the CPCB centralized portal, with environmental compensation being mandatory.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Compliance Process: From Sign Up to EPR Certification
Opening/Meeting: At the beginning of the process, there is an opening meeting to brief the client on the content of extended producer responsibility (EPR) and the workflow for the process. The client is given an opportunity to ask questions and have their queries resolved.
Identification and Sign Up Process: The next step is to identify the appropriate category for the client and sign them up for the appropriate program. There are two programs available: the Producer Identification and Brand Owner (PIBO) program and the Producer Waste Plan (PWP) program.
Sharing List of Documents and Form for Data Collection: Once the client has been signed up for the appropriate program, a list of required documents is shared with them, along with a data collection form. This form is specific to the client’s category.
- Identification of Applicable Categories Form: For the PIBO program, the client must identify all applicable categories on the form. The categories include Brandowner, Producer, and Importer.
Data Collection and Validation: The client collects the required data and submits it for validation. The data is scrutinized to ensure its accuracy and completeness. Once validated, the data is finalized.
File Upload: The finalized data is uploaded to the government’s system for processing.
EPR Certificate Done: After the data is processed by the government, the client receives an EPR certificate, which certifies their compliance with EPR regulations and their commitment to sustainable production and waste reduction.
