Understanding Each Stakeholder’s Responsibility of EPR in India

Extended producer responsibility (EPR) is a policy approach designed to shift the burden of waste management costs from municipalities and taxpayers to producers. In India, EPR has become an essential part of waste management programs, which ensures that manufacturers, importers, and brand owners are responsible for the waste generated by their products in their entire life cycle. The EPR principle has also been extended to various products, including electronic products, paper products, and plastic products, where producers are expected to take measures for reducing the burden of waste management on the environment and society. Understanding each stakeholder’s responsibility of EPR in India is crucial.

CPCB/ SPCB

In India, the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) plays a crucial role in ensuring the implementation and adherence of regulations under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). The board is responsible for monitoring stakeholders, including processors, brand owners, and co-processors, and ensuring that they comply with the policies and guidelines set by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

One of the significant duties of the SPCB is to provide authorizations to processors, brand owners, and co-processors to take responsibility for the management of their used products. The authorization process covers several aspects of product life cycles, including collecting, dismantling, processing, and disposing of waste.

The SPCB also plays a vital role in relaying essential information and guidelines to the Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs). The board ensures that PROs are aware of their responsibilities and the requirements they must meet to implement effective EPR policies.

Despite the crucial role played by the SPCB in enforcing EPR policies in India, there are challenges faced in their effective implementation. For instance, one of the most significant challenges is the lack of awareness and understanding among stakeholders on the importance and benefits of EPR policies. Furthermore, the board is often limited by capacity and resource constraints, which compromises their ability to monitor and enforce compliance effectively.

To address these challenges, there is a need for stakeholders to work collaboratively with the SPCB and other regulatory bodies to create more significant public awareness campaigns on the importance of EPR. Additionally, there is a need to invest more resources into building the capacity of the board to enhance their effectiveness in monitoring, enforcing, and implementing EPR policies.

In conclusion, the State Control Board in India plays a crucial role in monitoring compliance and the implementation of EPR policies. Besides authorizing processors, brand owners, and co-processors, the board liaises with CPCB and relays guidelines and information to PROs. However, to ensure a successful implementation of EPR policies, stakeholders must address the challenges faced by the SPCB in enforcing these policies through collaborative efforts and enhanced capacity building.

Related: Centralized EPR Portal for Plastic Packaging

Product Responsible Organizations (PROs)

In the realm of waste management, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a policy approach that demands producers to be held accountable for the waste they generate. This policy is enforced through Product Responsible Organizations (PROs).

PROs are corporations that manufacture or sell products and are responsible for registering with the State Pollution Control Board to provide accurate information about plastic consumption. These organizations need to establish a mechanism for collecting and disposing of plastic waste and maintain regular communication with the CPCB/SPCBs to inform them of monthly EPR activity and quarterly reports.

In order to comply with EPR, PROs need to attend to various plastic waste categories, including all packaging types, paper products, and beverage containers. This means that PROs have to take charge of designing, promoting and implementing the schemes for packaging, collection and proper disposal related to these plastic waste categories.

For instance, PROs need to establish a take-back program for their used electronic products, paper products, and plastic products. In addition, they need to keep track of the recyclable material that can be retrieved from their products to ensure that it is easily available to a reuse market at a reasonable market price.

In conclusion, PROs in EPR schemes play a critical role in waste management. They register with the State Pollution Control Board, establish a mechanism for collecting and disposing of plastic waste, and maintain regular communication with the CPCB/SPCBs. They extended their responsibility to cater to various plastic waste categories. It is imperative for PROs to take corrective action early on, and reduce the burden of waste management on the environment. It is the responsibility of policy makers, SPCBs and gram panchayats to work together effectively to help PIBOs in efforts to minimize dealing with plastic waste.

Recycler and Co-Processor

Recyclers and Co-Processors play a critical role in implementing EPR policies by taking responsibility for the proper collection, recycling, and disposal of the waste generated by products. They are responsible for handling a wide range of recyclable products such as beverage containers, electronics, lead-acid batteries, packaging and paper products, paints, solvents, pesticides, gasoline, pharmaceuticals, and tires.

Under the EPR framework, Recyclers and Co-Processors must have a valid operating permit from the State Pollution Control Boards (PCBs) and adhere to all handling standards and pollution control norms set by the regulators. They must register with the PCBs and local governments as recyclers and communicate regularly with the PCBs regarding their involvement in EPR activities.

Recyclers and Co-Processors must also ensure proper management of hazardous materials that they handle, by following all safety measures and disposal methods prescribed by the regulators. They are also required to maintain records of all the recyclable products handled and the corresponding environmental compensation paid by the producers.

The success of EPR policies greatly depends on the active participation of Recyclers and Co-Processors, who act as intermediaries between the producers and the waste management system. By maximizing the reuse and recycling of raw materials, Recyclers and Co-Processors reduce waste generation and recycling costs, cutting down the burden of waste management on society.

In conclusion, Recyclers and Co-Processors have significant responsibilities in Extended Producer Responsibility policies by ensuring proper handling of recyclable products and adhering to all the norms and regulations set by the State Pollution Control Boards. Their active participation is crucial for the reduction of waste and the cost of waste management, making the scheme of EPR a success.

Local Body

Local bodies, such as Gram Panchayats, are responsible for creating and maintaining the infrastructure required for plastic waste management, such as segregation, collection, transportation, processing, and disposal. As the EPR policy approaches require collaboration between the local authority and producers, it is essential that both parties adhere to guidelines to prevent environmental damage during the process.

The local authority should segregate non-recyclable waste from recyclable waste during the collection process and ensure recyclable waste is channelled to recycling centres. The guidelines should also prioritize the reuse market in the product life cycle and ensure that all waste processing units comply with pollution control norms.

Producers must collaborate with local authorities and take their responsibility seriously by ensuring the packaging materials used for their products are safe and environmentally friendly. Producers must also establish a proper take-back program for used products.

The local authority should establish a plastic waste management system within one year, seeking the cooperation of producers to quickly implement EPR policies. This system must conform to international standards and guidelines and have regulations in place to ensure producers comply with their responsibilities.

In conclusion, the local authority and producers must collaborate to implement EPR policies for plastic waste management infrastructure, segregation, collection, transportation, processing, and disposal. It is crucial to have proper guidelines in place to prevent environmental damage and ensure that recyclable waste is channelled to recycling centres. Finally, it is vital to establish a plastic waste management system with the support of the producers and regulations to ensure compliance.

Waste Generator

Waste generators play a crucial role in the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies in India. They are responsible for generating waste and managing it in an environmentally friendly manner. The EPR policy approach is designed to ensure that producers, importers, and brand owners are held responsible for the entire lifecycle of their products and packaging materials.

It is essential for waste generators to comply with the Municipal Solid Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2016 by segregating waste at the source and storing it in a proper manner until it is handed over to waste collectors or designated agencies. Proper waste segregation and storage will help reduce the burden of waste management costs and allow for the effective recycling of waste.

Additionally, waste generators who produce Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) are required to register their products under the EPR policies. If the product contains a battery, both the Electronic and Electrical Equipment (EEE) and the battery must be registered.

With the growing concern over plastic waste management, it is essential for waste generators to take an active role in managing their waste. By complying with the EPR policies and the SWM Rules, waste generators can contribute towards reducing plastic waste and minimizing the environmental costs associated with it.

Also Read:

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• Are we closer to Garbage Pandemic because of our failed waste management system?
• Importance of Liquid waste management
• Importance of Solid Waste management
• What is E-Waste?