Page 59 - Plastics News July 2025
P. 59
FEATURE NEWS
and for the reuse of rigid plastic packaging. (for Brand Owners)
Key Proposed Amendments Brand owners using Category I (rigid) plastic
packaging will have minimum reuse obligations,
The draft outlines new obligations for producers, also phased in from 2025-26.
importers, and brand owners under Schedule-II,
paragraph 7 of the existing rules: ♦ For rigid packaging between 0.9 kg/litre and
4.9 kg/litre, the reuse target starts at 10% in
Mandatory Use of Recycled Plastic Content 2025-26 and rises to 25% by 2028-29.
Producers, importers, and brand owners will ♦ For rigid packaging of 4.9 kg/litre or more
face progressively increasing obligations to use used for drinking water, the targets are sig-
recycled plastic in their packaging. The targets nificantly higher, starting at 70% in 2025-26
vary by plastic packaging category (Category I, and reaching 85% by 2028-29.
II, and III) and will be phased in from the financial ♦ For rigid packaging of 4.9 kg/litre or more
year 2025-26 up to 2028-29 and onwards.
used for other products, the target begins at
♦ For Category I packaging, the recycled con- 10% and increases to 15%.
tent target will increase from 30% in 2025-26
to 60% by 2028-29. The reuse of rigid plastic packaging in food con-
tact applications will be subject to regulation by
♦ Category II will see an increase from 10% to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of In-
20% in the same period. dia (FSSAI).
♦ Category III will rise from 5% to 10%. Similar to recycled content, exemptions for
statutory or technical reasons can be granted
Exemptions may be granted by the Central Pol-
lution Control Board (CPCB) on a case-by-case by CPCB, and a shortfall from 2025-26 can be
basis if meeting the obligation is not possible carried forward for three years. Brand owners
due to statutory or technical requirements (e.g., will be required to provide this information on a
if recycled content is not allowed by law or ren- centralized CPCB portal.
ders the material unfit for intended use). The draft notification is available for public infor-
mation, and any person interested in making ob-
Any shortfall in meeting the 2025-26 target can
be carried forward for a period of three years jections or suggestions is encouraged to do so in
starting from 2026-27. For imported plastic, re- writing within sixty days from the date the notifi-
cycled content used in the imported material cation is made available to the public. Comments
itself will not count towards the obligation; im- can be sent via post to the Secretary, Ministry
porters will need to fulfill their targets by pur- of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, In-
chasing certificates from entities exceeding their dira Paryavaran Bhawan, Jor Bagh Road, Aliganj,
recycled content obligations. New Delhi-110003, or electronically at the email
address: sohsmd-mef@gov.in.
Obligation for Reuse of Rigid Plastic Packaging Source - https://www.legalitysimplified.com/
July 2025 PLASTICS NEWS 59
