Context:
The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC) is drafting EPR guidelines for:
- Construction & Demolition (C&D) waste
- Used cooking oil
- Toxic & hazardous waste
This follows previous EPR rules for plastic & e-waste management.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a policy approach that holds producers responsible for the entire lifecycle of their products, including the management of waste generated after consumers use them, encouraging sustainable design and recycling.
- What it is:EPR shifts responsibility for waste management from local governments to producers, incentivizing them to design products that are easier to recycle or reuse and to take back products at the end of their life.
- How it works:
- Financial and/or physical responsibility: Producers are given financial and/or physical responsibility for the treatment or disposal of products post-consumption.
- Incentives for sustainable design: EPR encourages manufacturers to design environmentally friendly products by making them accountable for their product management during end-stage consumption.
- Circular economy: EPR aims to promote a circular economy model, including product reuse, buyback, and recycling programs.
- Waste management: EPR aims to reduce the amount of waste going to landfills by encouraging producers to take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their products.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) & Its Objectives
- EPR Policy: Holds producers accountable for the entire lifecycle of their products, including disposal.
- Objectives:
- Encourage sustainable waste management.
- Promote a circular economy.
- Reduce environmental impact of waste.
EPR Regulations for Construction & Demolition (C&D) Waste
- New Requirements:
- Mandatory use of recycled materials in construction (buildings & roads).
- Bulk C&D waste generators (large buildings undergoing demolition/redevelopment) must:
- Deposit waste at authorized processing facilities.
- Obtain recycling certificates, ensuring compliance.
- Environmental Damage Compensation:
- 5% penalty for non-compliance (first 2 years).
- 10% penalty thereafter.
- The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) will enforce penalties.
EPR Guidelines for Used Cooking Oil (UCO)
- Key Objective: Repurpose used cooking oil into:
- Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
- Animal feed
- Soap production
- Market Creation & Demand Boost:
- Producers must purchase UCO under EPR rules.
- Certification system to ensure compliance.
- Demand expected to grow gradually over 5-7 years.
- SAF & India’s Aviation Goals:
- India targets 1% SAF use in international flights by 2027, increasing to 2% by 2028.
- Proper management is critical to prevent UCO from entering unsafe recycling streams.
EPR Framework for Toxic & Hazardous Waste
- Proposed Measures:
- Industries must hand over hazardous waste to authorized recyclers.
- Where feasible, waste will be repurposed into industrial products.
- Incentives for industries using waste as input (reducing environmental burden).
- Expected Impact:
- Minimizes hazardous waste output.
- Generates new revenue streams for industries.
Implementation & Industry Implications
- CPCB to Set Compliance Guidelines:
- Establish penalties & enforcement mechanisms.
- Define standardized operating procedures for waste utilization.
- Challenges:
- Ensuring proper waste segregation & collection.
- Creating a viable market for recycled materials & repurposed waste.
- Preventing misuse of EPR certificates.
Strengthening India’s Circular Economy
- EPR expansion to construction, hazardous waste & used cooking oil is a major step toward sustainable urban development.
- Expected Benefits:
- Reduced landfill burden & better waste utilization.
- More sustainable infrastructure development.
- New business opportunities in waste recycling & SAF production.
- Next Steps:
- Formation of inter-ministerial expert committees.
- Finalization & rollout of EPR guidelines.
