Page 39 - Plastics News December2018

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a large number of cases. The Committee further noted the quantum of cost from produces be decided? What
that “functionality” would be defined differently by would be the responsibility of brand owners in this?
different producers. There would also be scope for How would apportionment of costs between ULB &
subjective interpretation of this term. The Committee producers be carried out? Further it was stated in the
also noted the views of the stakeholders. It is true that stakeholders meeting that the EPR guidelines need to
cooked food/cut vegetables are frequently covered be well defined and responsibilities in the entire EPR
with clinging plastic sheets of lesser thickness. It value chain should clearly enumerated. The primary
was also noted that this is used world over and is responsibility should be of the local bodies in the
not banned in any other countries. It was also noted entire operations. Value chain for the recyclers also
that banning thin plastic used in industries (for eg. to be included. It was also proposed that cess could
Confectionery, cosmetics etc.) as a wrapping material be a good option for producer/brand owners.
would impact functionality of the product if this The above issues were deliberated in the meeting.
were not permitted. Considering the pros and cons It was noted that once the modality of EPR is
of the proposal the Committee recommends that this ascertained then the confusion regarding involvement
provision requires further deliberation, before any of the producer in setting up of any infrastructure
changes are made. Therefore as of now, Committee for collection, segregation, transportation etc will
does not recommend any changes to this Rule.
be sorted out. However, it was emphasized that the
iii. Rule 6(1) Responsibility of local body.- Every local activities falling under the domain of ULBs should
body shall be responsible for development and setting remain with them and should not be diverted to the
up of infrastructure for segregation, collection, producer/importer/brand owner.
storage, transportation, processing and disposal of Regarding component of EPR the stakeholders
the plastic waste either on its own or by engaging mentioned that there is lack of consistency, clarity
agencies or producers.
and coordination in the PWM Rules, 2016 (especially
Rule 6(3). The local body for setting up of system EPR). How would EPR be done if waste segregation is
for plastic waste management shall seek assistance not done at source? Are there any graded EPR targets
of producers and such system shall be set up within or producers have to recycle 100% from 1st year? Will
one year from the date of final publication of these the responsibility of collection be divided amongst
rules in the Official Gazaette of India. the various entities in the value chain (product
manufacturer, brand owner, recycler etc) and in what
And
proportion?
Rule 9.(1) Responsibility of producers, Importers and
Brand Owners.- (1) The producers, within a period Further it was mentioned that clarity is required
of six months from the date of publication of these on whose responsibility it is to submit the waste
rules, shall work out modalities for waste collection collection plan and how the implementation of this
system based on Extended Producers Responsibility rule would be monitored in a situation when all the
and involving State Urban Development Departments, producers are expected to give collection plans to
either individually or collectively, through their practically all the state PCBs. Since waste is not
own distribution channel or through the local body necessarily restricted to the state where the product
concerned. is manufactured, how will the implementation of this
rule will be monitored?
Discussion: Representations were received in the
Ministry and various queries have been raised. e.g. Recommendation: The Committee noted that the
When segregation does not take place, what will responsibility of waste collection and segregation rests
be the liability of producers, what is demarcation solely with the ULBs. Handing over this responsibility
of roles between producers and ULBs? Will trade to the producers would be very impractical and
bodies/associations be considered by Local bodies for inefficient. We would have a situation wherein there
partnership rather than individual Producers? How will would be multiple channels for waste collection

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41 December 2018 Plastics News