Page 40 - Plastics News December2018
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FEATURES
leading to large inefficiencies. Similarly, if the waste This plan of collection to be submitted to the State
segregation is not done at source, it would be difficult Pollution Control Boards while applying for Consent
to expect producers to implement EPR. Further, the to Establish or Operate or Renewal. The Brand
committee noted that collection and segregation of Owners whose consent has been renewed before
household waste is basic responsibility of the ULBs. the notification of these rules shall submit such plan
Shifting them to producers is neither desirable nor within one year from the date of notification of these
feasible. rules and implement with two years thereafter.
The committee therefore recommended that under Rule 9(3) - Manufacture and use of non recyclable
the PW Rules the EPR concept needs to be reworked. multi-layered plastic, if any, should be phased out in
We may move to a concept of a “modified EPR” two years' time.
wherein a suitable fee depending on the quantum of Discussion: Representations mentioned that there
production of plastics would be imposed on producers/ is lack of clarity on categorization of items- CPCB
brand owners. This fee would get collected into
a fund which would be used only for the purpose guidelines treat MLP used for packaging as non-
recyclable plastic waste and hence needs to be
of plastic waste handling/collection/segregation/ phased out though it is considered as recyclable
treatment/processing. The committee also decided product by the industry. Other countries are
that this principle should be presented before the developing technologies that can be used to recycle
competent authority in MoEF&CC for consideration
and approval. Once this principle was accepted the MLP e.g. Pyrolysis. If there are solutions for reuse like
cement manufacture/ waste to energy/ use (brick
committee would deliberate on the details of level kilns etc), there would be little justification for phase
of fee, constitution of the fund, disbursement from out in view of utility of the products.
the fund etc in its next report.
The Committee also noted that some producers/ The Committee noted that MLP is a very important
brand owners have partnered with local bodies product and it will be very difficult to phase out MLPs.
and are participating in various stages of plastic However, it was also mentioned that the MLP cause
waste handling. It was felt that we should allow lot of nuisance by blocking the drains and littering in
these models also to be attempted. The Committee the streets. It was suggested that regulations can be
recommends that wherever producer/importer/ made prescribing thickness of the MLP and size of the
brand owner etc are working directly with local MLPs for better management of MLPs. A suggestion
bodies (or through PRO) a suitable offset would be was whether smaller sachets would be banned, since
provided to them on the cess obligation. It was also this cause a major nuisance. Another suggestion was
emphasized that these activities would be done in that a strong EPR policy would be prepared so that
close collaboration with local bodies and only on the collection and canalization of the MLP can be
the basis of certification by the local bodies would achieved.
producer/importer/brand owner etc be provided with Further it was discussed that the one possibility to
offsets on their cess obligation. The list of permissible manage the MLP is by using it in waste to energy plant.
activities and non-permissible activities under the However, it was mentioned that the waste-to-energy
cess model for getting offset shall be brought out by plant is viable with the supply of plastic more than 300
the Committee. tons/day. The Ministry opined that to manage MLP/
Plastic/Solid Waste, the proposed option of waste to
iv. Rule 9 (2) - Primary responsibility for collection
of used multi layered plastic sachet or pouches energy should be considered as a solution to the waste
or packaging is of Producers, Importers and Brand management and should not be evaluated based on
Owners who introduce the products in the market. the power generation and issues related to tariffs. It
They need to establish a system for collecting back was also noted that it could be used in cement plants
the plastic waste generated due to their products. and road manufacture also.
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