Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022

Why in news?

• Recently, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change extended producers’ responsibility for plastic packaging by Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022.
• Under the new rules the Ministry has notified comprehensive guidelines on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for plastic packaging.
• The guidelines provide a framework to strengthen the circular economy of plastic packaging waste and promote alternatives to plastic.

Key provisions under the new rules:

• Coverage of Extended Producer Responsibility:
  • The plastic packaging categories that are to be covered are as follows:
  • Category I: Rigid plastic packaging
  • Category II: Flexible plastic packaging of single layer or multilayer (more than one layer with different types of plastic), plastic sheets or like and covers made of plastic sheet, carry bags, plastic sachet or pouches
  • Category III: Multilayered plastic packaging (at least one layer of plastic and at least one layer of material other than plastic)
  • Category IV: Plastic sheet or like used for packaging as well as carry bags made of compostable plastics.
• Entities that fall under the category of Extended Producer Responsibility:
  • Producer (P) of plastic packaging;
  • Importer (I) of all imported plastic packaging and / or plastic packaging of imported products;
  • Brand Owners (BO) including online platforms/marketplaces and supermarkets/retail chains other than those, which are micro and small enterprises as per the criteria of Ministry of MSME.
  • Plastic Waste Processors
  • These entities have to get registered in the centralized portal developed by Central Pollution Control Board.
• Imposition of Environmental Compensation
  • Polluter shall be liable to pay Environmental Compensation in case of non-fulfilment of EPR targets by Producers, Importers & Brand Owner.
  • In order to protect and improve the quality of the environment Central Pollution Control Board will charge compensation on defaulter Producers, Importers & Brand-Owners operating in more than two states.
  • Similarly, compensation will be levied by State Pollution Control Board on the default producers operating in their jurisdiction.
• Role of Producers, Importers & Brand-Owners
  • The entities have to register through the online centralized portal and submit their Action Plan with the Board.
• Plastic Packaging Waste Collection System by Producers, Importers & Brand-Owners
  • Along with fulfilment of obligations under EPR registered entities can develop collection and segregation infrastructure of plastic packaging waste, as required, based on the category of plastics.
  • The entities involved in waste collection will hand over the waste for treatment and recycling or for identified end uses.
• Centralized Online Portal:
  • Central Board will establish an online system for the registration as well as for filing of annual returns by Producers, Importers & Brand-Owners, and plastic waste processors of plastic packaging waste by 31st March 2022.
• Committee for Extended Producer Responsibility under PWM Rules
  • A committee shall be constituted by the Central Pollution Control Board under chairpersonship of Chairman, Central Pollution Control Board to recommend measures to Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for effective implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility including amendments to EPR guidelines.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Which of the following entities falls under the category of Extended Producer Responsibility under Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022?

1. Producer of plastic packaging

2. Importer of plastic packaging

3. Plastic waste processor

4. MSME unit engaged in sale of goods packed in plastic material.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2,3 and 4 only

(c) 1,2 and 3 only

(d) 1,2,3 and 4

Answer