Environmental concerns have become increasingly important in recent times, with governments and organizations worldwide taking steps to reduce the impact of human activity on the environment. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a policy approach that has gained traction in this context, and India has been at the forefront of implementing this policy.

The concept of EPR was first introduced in the 1990s, as a way to hold producers responsible for the environmental impact of their products throughout their lifecycle. In India, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) formulated the EPR policy in 2011, which made it mandatory for producers of certain products to collect and dispose of their waste in an environmentally sustainable manner.

The EPR policy in India initially focused on electronic waste and mandated that producers of electronic goods take back their products at the end of their lifecycle and ensure their safe disposal. This policy has been successful in reducing the environmental impact of electronic waste and has been expanded to other products over the years.

In 2016, the MoEF notified the Plastic Waste Management Rules, which brought plastic under the purview of EPR. This was a significant step as plastic waste has been a major environmental concern in India, with a vast amount of plastic waste ending up in landfills and oceans. The new rules mandated that producers of plastic products collect and recycle a certain percentage of the plastic they produce, based on the quantity they put into the market.

The Plastic Waste Management Rules have been revised over the years to make them more stringent. In 2018, the MoEF introduced amendments to the rules, which mandated that producers of single-use plastic items, such as bags, cups, and cutlery, phase out the use of such products by 2022. This was a significant step towards reducing plastic waste and promoting sustainable alternatives.

India has also introduced the concept of deposit return schemes (DRS) for plastic bottles, which incentivize consumers to return their empty bottles to designated collection points. This has been successful in reducing the amount of plastic waste generated and has been adopted by several states in India.

While the EPR policy in India has been successful in reducing the environmental impact of certain products, there are challenges that need to be addressed. One of the challenges is the lack of adequate infrastructure for waste management and recycling, which can make it difficult for producers to comply with the EPR policy. Another challenge is the lack of awareness among consumers, who need to be educated about the importance of responsible waste disposal and recycling.

Conclusion

the evolution of EPR responsibility policy and plastic EPR in India has been significant in addressing environmental concerns. The policy has helped reduce the environmental impact of electronic waste and plastic waste, and has encouraged producers to take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their products. However, there is a need for continued efforts to strengthen the policy and address the challenges that exist.