Significance of Plastic EPR (Extended Producers Responsibility) Registration
This registration states that the producers, importers and brand owners of plastic products take complete responsibility throughout their life cycle to reduce its impact on the environment, human lives, animals, and sea creatures. This registration has become mandatory as stated above and the Central Pollution Control Board is itself looking at its compliance. However, to understand it in a better way, it is essential to explore its significance.
Contribution towards a sustainable environment: – Plastic waste is a major threat to the environment and it causes harmful effects on our ecosystem. The presence of EPR Registration helps in encouraging PIBOs to minimise plastic packaging, reusing & recycling plastic waste, and adopting alternatives to plastic. Being bound to take the responsibility of plastic products till their end-of-life has made producers act efficiently and responsibly towards the collection of plastic waste and recycling it. It promotes sustainability through these steps and helps save the environment from landfill.
Saving Cost and resources:- EPR Registration is considered crucial when it comes to saving cost as it offers multiple opportunities for resource conservation. PIBO’s can consciously act on waste management practices which leads to reduction in expenses required for waste disposal. EPR is also encouraging producers to optimize and recycle plastic waste and extend the lifespan of plastic further. Implementing these practices help save cost spend on virgin resources. It helps producers explore opportunities through reusing and recycling of plastic waste.
Types of Plastic Packaging Covered Under EPR
Rigid Plastic Packaging – Rigid plastic packaging refers to containers made from stiff materials that maintain their shape. These include bottles, jars, and trays commonly used for food, beverages, and household products. According to the Plastic EPR rules, the producers, importers, manufacturers, and brand owners of rigid plastic packaging are responsible for its end-of-life management which helps in encouraging recycling and sustainable disposal practices.
Flexible Plastic Packaging – Flexible plastic packaging consists of pliable materials that can be easily shaped or manipulated. It includes plastic bags, pouches, sachets, and wraps used for packaging snacks, groceries, and personal care products. Though flexible EPR Registration for Plastic Packaging offers great convenience. However, being light in weight and due to their complex composition, there are certain challenges that one will come across when recycling them.
Multi-Layered Plastic Packaging – Multi-layered plastic packaging is constructed using different types of plastics layered together to provide specific properties such as barrier protection and durability. This type of packaging is commonly used for food and beverage products, but the complex composition of this plastic packaging complicates the recycling process. The EPR Registration for Plastic Packaging is helpful in addressing the challenges associated with multi-layered plastic packaging. It includes coffee bags, food packaging, snacks pouches, liquid detergents, pouches, pet food pouches, frozen food packaging, medical packaging and many others.
Compostable Plastics – Compostable plastics are designed to break down into organic matter under specific environmental conditions, such as in industrial composting facilities. While compostable plastics offer a potential solution to plastic pollution. But that is only possible when they are properly disposed of and that requires access to appropriate composting infrastructure. The Plastic EPR program does include provisions for managing compostable plastics to ensure they are effectively disposed and composted.
Plastic EPR Registration Process
According to the Plastic EPR Program, the PIBOs and PWPs are required to fill an online application form with all the required documents and data to obtain Plastic EPR Registration. They also need to pay the application fees before submitting the online application form. The application fees will vary according to the quantity and type of plastic packaging. Ensure that you have all the documents available that are required for Plastic EPR Registration before filling the application form. Let’s understand the step by step process of Plastic EPR Registration.
- Open the website of Central Pollution Control Board and start the registration process by filling the application form
- The applicator needs to fill all the required and mandatory details by entering the details of the business owner or the concerned person along with the details of the business. (Note: Application Pages for Producers, Importers, and Brand Owners do vary, so choose accordingly in the initial stage)
- Enter all the details as per thePlastic EPRrequirements like the details of the plastic waste generated, type of plastic packaging, and estimation about the quantity of plastic waste collection goal for the upcoming year.
- After filling all the details, upload all the required documents and verify them before the submission of the application form to ensure that you have shared all the documents.
- Do make the payment of the application fees after submission of application form.
- The application form will then get transferred to theCPCBof the dedicated state where your business exists. The CPCB officials will verify all the information to ensure that all the details filled our correct. It may take around 15 days in the processing of application form.
- If CPCB will find all your details correct, they will grant you theEPR certificate for plastic waste.
Plastic EPR Registration – Key Documents
While applying for the Plastic Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), the producers are required to present some key documents for Plastic EPR Registration. The documents are:
- Business Address Verification Document
- Contact Details and Product Details
- Authorized Person’s Documents and Details
- PAN Card Copy
- Manufacturer/Producer/Exporter Legal Papers
- Directorate of Industries
- Incorporation Certificate
- Municipal Corporation/Local Authorities Certificate
- IE Code Verification
- RoHS Compliance Details
- BIS License (If available)
- Recyclers Information
- Plastic Waste Management Estimate
- EPR Budget
- EPR Plan
- Details of Awareness Initiatives
- Copy of Agreements
The list of these key documents is subject to change as required by CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board). The requirement of the documents may also vary depending on the area of the business and the kind of plastic waste produced by PIBOs.