This year, the PRS – short for Plastic Recycling Shows – brand is extending its scope to India. Why India? The country is moving ahead with environmental sustainability, among other things through the implementation of guidelines on Extended Producer Responsibility for Plastic Packaging, implemented through the Plastic Waste Amendment Rules in 2022, which is expected to boost the country’s plastics recycling performance. Here, Ayush Aggarwal, associate consultant at ChemBizR explores how countries like India are altering their ways following the implementation of EPR.
EPR framework
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a worldwide policy tool that redefines responsibility for managing product plastic waste and emphasises sustainability. Within an EPR framework, the responsibility for managing plastic waste shifts from the end consumer and government authorities, such as municipal corporations, to producers, manufacturers, and brand owners. Germany pioneered the establishment of an EPR system in the 1990s, specifically for packaging, leading the way among early adopters globally.
In the year 2022, it was estimated that 360 million metric tons of plastic waste were generated globally, with the Asia Pacific, North America, and Europe accounting for 40%, 25%, and 10% of the total waste generation. The realisation that manufacturers have a crucial role in minimising the environmental impact of their products throughout their lifecycle, from production to disposal, gave rise to the development of an EPR framework, under which manufacturers are legally and financially accountable for their products throughout their entire lifecycle. This is an effort to promote eco-friendly product design, reduce waste generation at both post-industrial and post-consumer levels, and encourage the practice of reuse, recycling, and correct disposal techniques for plastic consumed in the packaging of products.
As the leading producer of waste globally, countries in the Asia Pacific - including India - have taken a great leap toward environmental sustainability through the adoption of an EPR Act, which was introduced in India in 2016 and came into force in 2022.
EPR goals in the Indian context
The EPR Act in India envisions the achievement of a number of goals. These include:
- The minimisation of waste: One of the primary goals of the EPR Act is to reduce waste generation. Producers are encouraged to develop highly efficient manufacturing processes to reduce the generation of post-industrial waste and environmentally sound products that are durable, repairable, and recyclable, leading to a reduction in post-consumer plastic waste generation.
- Resource conservation: The EPR Act strives to protect non-renewable natural resources such as cellulose, coal, natural gas, salt, crude oil, and talc, which are utilized in the manufacturing of plastic. This can be effectively done by promoting responsible product design, sustainable packaging, and an efficient recycling ecosystem. Additionally, it can help drastically lower India's import bills for fossil fuels such as coal and crude oil.
- More effective recycling: The Act encourages producers to establish mechanisms for the collection, recycling, and reuse of their products. This will reduce the burden on landfills and incineration facilities and lead to a reduction in environmental pollution.
- Environmental awareness: Another critical goal of the EPR Act is to raise awareness among producers and consumers about the environmental impact of products. This fosters a culture of taking responsibility and embracing sustainability among the citizens.
- Boost to sustainable packaging solutions: The obligations under the Act will encourage the packaging industry to shift towards sustainable alternatives such as bioplastics, compostable plastics, and mono-material packaging solutions that are easier to recycle. In the foreseeable future, significant advancements in these alternative materials are anticipated.
- Transformation of the plastic recycling industry: In India, the plastic recycling industry is predominantly unorganized, with over 80% of the market being dominated by small-scale recyclers with a capacity of less than 0.5 KTPA (over 10,000 recyclers). These recyclers don't have a streamlined ecosystem or cutting-edge technology.
- Furthermore, the waste collectors—who are a crucial component of the entire recycling value chain—work in appalling conditions, earn little money, and lack essentials including masks and gloves, which puts them at risk of serious illnesses. The entire ecosystem must be transformed to enhance the standard of living for these waste collectors, also referred to as "rag pickers" and to fortify the sector using contemporary operational techniques and technology.