The Central Government has issued a draft notification proposing amendments to the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016. This Draft notification was issued on 16th October, 2023.
These amendments are aimed at strengthening the effective implementation of the rules for managing plastic waste and promoting environmental sustainability. The key provisions of this draft notification include:
- Expanding the scope of entities covered by Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to include manufacturers and importers of plastic raw materials.
- Introducing regulations for the management of compostable and biodegradable plastics.
- Incorporating information technology tools for online reporting and data capture at various stages of waste management.
- Enabling online electronic trading platforms for certificates generated by registered plastic waste processors for price discovery.
- Requiring mandatory labeling for compostable plastics and biodegradable plastics, specifying their environmental conditions.
- Prohibiting the use of plastic raw materials in the production of banned Single Use Plastic (SUP) items.
- Implementing measures for managing pre-consumer plastic waste generated from items made of biodegradable plastics.
- Mandating that units manufacturing commodities from plastic or commodities containing plastics must process pre-consumer plastic waste and report on it.
- Strengthening the role of local bodies, Panchayati Raj Institutions, and Panchayati Raj Institutions at the district level for waste management.
- Introducing mandatory quarterly reporting and labeling for plastic raw materials.
- Assigning the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) as the authority for registration in case applications remain pending for more than 30 days.
- Mandating the preparation and submission of annual reports by entities involved in recycling or processing of plastic waste.
- Revising the categories of plastic packaging and commodities, adding new categories for items made from compostable and biodegradable plastics.
- Amending the guidelines on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for plastic packaging and commodities to include the latest regulations.
- Implementing separate color and marking guidelines for plastic packaging and commodities made from compostable and biodegradable plastics.
- Mandating guidelines for the prevention of open burning of plastic waste.
- Requiring yearly assessment and reporting by entities on plastic waste management infrastructure and projected waste generation.
- Empowering the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to amend forms and rules under these regulations.
- Making it mandatory for manufacturers and importers of plastic raw materials to incorporate specific clauses in sale contracts regarding the use of the materials in compliance with plastic waste management rules.
These amendments aim to enhance the regulation of plastic waste management, particularly in the areas of compostable and biodegradable plastics, waste processing, labeling, and extended producer responsibility.
Interested parties are encouraged to submit objections or suggestions regarding these proposed amendments by 15th December 2023. Any such objection or suggestion shall be sent in writing through post to the Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Indira Paryavaran Bhawan, Jor Bagh Road, Aliganj, New Delhi-110003 or electronically at email address: [email protected] , [email protected] .
