Government notifies guidelines on extended producers responsibility on plastic packaging

Will strengthen the circular economy of plastic packaging waste and provide a roadmap for businesses to move towards sustainable plastic packaging: Bhupender Yadav

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has notified the Guidelines on Extended Producers Responsibility (EPR) on plastic packaging under Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016.

Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav stated that guidelines will promote development of new alternatives to plastics and provide a roadmap for businesses to move towards sustainable plastic packaging.

The guidelines on extended producer responsibility coupled with prohibition of identified single use plastic items, which have low utility and high littering potential, with effect from 1^st July 2022, are important steps for reducing pollution caused due to littered plastic waste in the country.

The guidelines provide framework to strengthen circular economy of plastic packaging waste, promote development of new alternatives to plastics and provide further next steps for moving towards sustainable plastic packaging by businesses. 

Reuse of rigid plastic packaging material has been mandated in the guidelines to reduce the use of fresh plastic material for packaging.

Producers, importers & brand owners, may operate schemes such as deposit refund system or buy back or any other model, in order to prevent mixing of plastic packaging waste with solid waste.