Page 36 - Plastics News October 2018

FEAturES

Understanding EPR

The responsibility of a Producer for the environmentally sound management of product until end of its life-
cycle.

he Maharashtra Government has come tough on the As per Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 issued vide
TPlastics industry in state and with the Environment 18th March 2016, by the Ministry of Environment, Forest
Minister Ramdas Kadam ruling out any extension for and Climate Change, Government of India: -
finding alternatives to plastic saying that despite the three
Responsibility of producers, Importers and
Brand Owners: -

(1) The producers, within a period of six months from
the date of publication of these rules, shall work
out modalities for waste collection system based on
Extended Producers Responsibility and involving State
Urban Development Departments, either individually
or collectively, through their own distribution channel
or through the local body concerned.
(2) Primary responsibility for collection of used multi-
layered plastic sachet or pouches or packaging is of
Producers, Importers and Brand Owners who introduce
the products in the market. They need to establish a
month relief, 99% of manufacturers had not yet created a
buyback mechanism nor found recycling solutions despite system for collecting back the plastic waste generated
getting a three-month relief (up to September 30) and due to their products. This plan of collection is to
so, we will initiate action." Environment authorities in be submitted to the State Pollution Control Boards
the state are contemplating a ban on products wrapped while applying for Consent to Establish or Operate or
in plastic material in the wake of industries failing to Renewal. The Brand Owners whose consent has been
evolve a buyback chain for the recollection, recycling and renewed before the notification of these rules shall
reuse of the used plastic wrappers. “There seems no other submit such plan within one year from the date of
alternative now but to ban products that are being sold notification of these rules and implement with two
by wrapping them in banned plastic material,” said Anil years thereafter.
Diggikar, Principal Secretary, Environment department. Registration of producer, recyclers and manu-
Moreover, the Environment Minister has now hinted that facturer: -
the government wants to make the plastic ban in the state (1) No person shall manufacture carry bags or recycle
more stringent by cancelling license of the shop if plastics plastic bags or multilayered packaging unless the
material that are banned is found. State Environment person has obtained a registration from the State
Minister Ramdas Kadam said that a primary level meeting Pollution Control Board or the Pollution Control
had already been held to decide on how to go about Committee of the Union Territory concerned, as
implementing this new proposal. This needs to be taken the case may be, prior to the commencement of
with a pinch of salt. production;
Understanding EPR (2) Every producer shall, for the purpose of registration
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a policy approach or for renewal of registration, make an application
under which producers are given a significant responsibility – to the State Pollution Control Board or the Pollution
financial and/or physical – for the treatment or disposal of Control Committee of the Union territory concerned,
post-consumer products. It discusses the potential benefits in Form I.
and costs associated with EPR. (3) Every person recycling or processing waste or
proposing to recycle or process plastic waste shall

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Plastics News October 2018ews October 2018