WHAT IS EPR?
Extended Producer Responsibility or EPR is the commitment made by a producer to facilitate a reverse collection mechanism and recycling of end of life, post-consumer waste. The objective is to circle it back into the system to recover resources embedded in the waste.
EPR Process begins with:
Phase I – Registration and Preparation of EPR Plan
- Under Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 (PWM Rules), all the companies that use plastic packaging must register as a “producer ” or “brand owner”.
- Submit the application of registration to the CPCB if operating in more than 2 states or selling products under a brand name in different parts of the country
- Submit an EPR action plan to the CPCB containing type and quantities of plastic waste (pre and post consumer) generated (zone-wise), manner of collection and processing of plastic waste (zone-wise). details of implementing partners etc. along with supporting documents.
Phase II – Implementation of EPR Plan
- Collection, transportation, recycling, processing/ co-processing or disposal of equivalent quantity of plastic waste as set out in approved EPR plan: through own distribution channel, In partnership with municipalities/local bodies, through agencies such as Smart ewaste recyclers or any other method that ensures traceability.
- The plastic waste to be collected is brand agnostic. The relevant criteria is grade of plastic and the quantities set out in the EPR plan.
- Maintenance of records for each activity for quarterly filings.
