Preventing Fines and Sanctions for Non-Compliance with Plastic Waste Management Laws and Certificates

The initiative seeks to provide environmentally beneficial methods for getting rid of plastic waste. In the process, it aims to lessen plastic littering throughout the state and outlaw the usage of plastic products and bags. Because of the inadequate collection and segregation mechanism, it has been noted that the disposal of plastic waste is a major challenge. Only manufactured plastic is recycled; the remaining Tons of plastic waste are abandoned in the environment, polluting the land, the air, and the water.

Reasons for Needing a Plastic Waste Management Certificate

The goal of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 is to lessen the harm that plastic waste causes to the environment. Plastic is such an important product in today's world that it is practically impossible to ban it. Authorities like Urban Local Bodies are required by the PWM regulations to arrange for the distinct collection, storage, and processing of plastic waste in designated places.

• Plastic has extended its application jurisdiction from urban places to rural areas due to its penetration of these areas.
• Assigning duties to plastic waste producers and generators to retrieve waste from the market under their targets as part of Extended Producer Responsibility (also known as EPR).
• To encourage the use of plastic waste for energy recovery, waste to oil, or road development following Indian Road Congress rules.
• Keep an eye on and assist with the use of plastic carry bags larger than 50 microns.
• Raising public awareness about the importance of using less plastic, etc.

EPR Registration for the Management of Plastic Waste: Products made of plastic are now a need in our everyday life. It is produced globally on an enormous scale. TPA in India produces waste plastic. The disposal of it is a major problem. Reusing plastic products through recycling is a fantastic idea, but it's also critical to figure out how to get rid of plastic entirely.
The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system is being introduced in the Plastics Waste Management Rules, 2016, to guarantee the processing of waste plastic packaging. It states that manufacturers, importers, and owners of brands are in charge of making sure that the waste from their plastic packaging is disposed of at the end of its useful life, recycled, or both.
Producers, importers, and brand owners are referred to as PIBOs. Regardless of your revenue or scope of operations, if you are identified as a PIBO and conduct business operations in India that involve the utilization of plastic packaging, you are required to comply with EPR.

Guidelines for EC Evaluation of PWM Rules Violations, 2016, CPCB PDF Icon

The following organizations must register on the centralized EPR site created by CPCB for an EPR registration certificate.

• Manufacturer.
• Supplier.
• proprietor of the brand.
• The processors of Plastic Waste are used for industrial composting, waste-to-energy, waste-to-oil, and recycling.

Obligations for PIBOs

PIBO is accountable for this.

• Sign up using the EPR Portal.
• Send in their action plan.
• Meet your responsibilities.
• Reusing.
• Utilizing content that has been recycled.
• Utilize.
• Disposal at the end of life.
• Participation in the recovery and collection of plastics is optional.
• Send in your yearly returns.
• Present certification documentation (Plastic credits).

Although Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs) and other organizations might collaborate with PIBOs individually to accomplish their goals, PIBOs bear full accountability and reporting for fulfilling their obligations.

Notification from the Government About Registration for Plastic Waste Management

India Prohibited Single-Use Plastic Items.

Manufacturing, importing, stocking, selling, distributing, or using certain single-use plastic products will be prohibited as of July 1, 2022, under the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2021. As of July 1, 2022, the following Single-Use Plastic (SUP) goods are prohibited.

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• Earbuds on plastic sticks.
• For balloons, use plastic sticks.
• Flags made of plastic.
• candy sticks.
• Sticks of ice cream.
• For decoration, use thermocol (polystyrene).
• Plates.
• Cups.
• Glasses
• Forks
• Spoons
• Knives
• Straws
• Trays
• Wrapping or packaging films around sweet boxes.
• Cards of invitation
• packets of cigarettes
• Banners made of plastic or PVC, smaller than 100 cm
• Stirrers

Plastic packaging categories are covered by the EPR

The following categories of plastic packaging are subject to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
Category I: Sturdy plastic containers.
Category II: Carry bags, sachets of plastic or pouches, sheets of plastic or similar materials, single-layer or multilayered flexible packaging made of plastic (more than one layer using various kinds of plastic), and plastic sheets or similar materials and covers.
Category III: Plastic packaging with multiple layers (at least a single layer made of plastic and one layer of a non-plastic substance).
Category IV: Compostable materials plastic carry bags and plastic sheets or similar materials used for packing.

Documents Needed for PIBOS/PWPS EPR Registration

• The company's PAN, GST, CIN, and IEC (for importers).
• PAN or Aadhar of the designated individual.
• DIC Registration (should the device possess a DIC registration).
• Process flow diagrams (exclusively for PWPs and producers).
• SPCB/PCC consents (if the unit includes a production plant).
• Scanned copies of the signatures of those with permission.
• Letter of cover.
• Photos with geotagging associated with the production, product dispatch, raw material storage, and plant machinery (for PWPs only).
• Records about whatever other information the unit feels like sharing.

PIBOS/PWPS EPR Registration Procedure

PIBOs must submit an online application, the required paperwork, fees, and information to receive an EPR for Plastic Waste Management. The following are the steps involved in EPR registration.

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• Documentation - Make sure that you possess a copy of every pertinent document on hand in the form of PDF, JPG format, or PNG before completing the application.
• Obtaining login credentials through registration - Filling out the application is the first step in the application process, which also involves self-registration through a centralized portal to receive login credentials.
• Application Submission - The applicant will obtain login credentials after completing self-registration, which they can use to apply. We have created separate application pages specifically for importers, brand owners, and producers. For EPR Registration, the applicant must fill out each part and provide any necessary paperwork.
• Submission of the application fee - Applying for registration requires the applicant to submit an application and pay the associated fees. The payment gateway embedded inside the portal must be used to make online fee payments.
• Application processing - If PIBOs operate in just one or two states, their online applications will be forwarded to the relevant SPCBs/PCCs via the same portal for additional processing. The applications that remain will be processed by CPCB.
• EPR registration is granted - Authorized officials will process the registration application and award EPR registration within 15 days. Applications that contain fraudulent information or documents will be refused. PIBOs will receive EPR registration certificates from CPCB/SPCB/PCC via a digital signature embedded into the portal if the application is found to be complete.