Plastic Waste Management in India – 101

Plastic waste management in India involves a combination of policies, regulations, and programs aimed at reducing the amount of plastic waste generated in the country and properly disposing of the plastic waste that is produced.

This can include measures such as

• Increase recycling 
• Composting of plastic waste 
• Implementing bans on certain types of single-use plastics
• Promoting the use of alternative materials.

Additionally, there are government-run and private initiatives to clean up plastic waste in the environment, such as beach cleanups and river cleanups.

Need for Waste Plastic Management

Plastic waste management has become a critical issue, due to the increasing amount of plastic waste generated in India. 

Plastic waste is a major contributor to environmental degradation and pollution, as it can take hundreds of years to decompose and often ends up in landfills or the ocean. This has significant impacts on 

• Wildlife 
• Environment
• It can also pose health risks to humans.

The need for Plastic Waste Management Rules in India is driven by:

1. Growing Plastic Waste: The increasing use of plastic in India has led to a rapid growth in plastic waste. The country generates an estimated 26,000 tons of plastic waste per day, with much of it ending up in the environment or in landfills. This poses a serious threat to the environment and public health, and highlights the need for effective plastic waste management.
2. Environmental Impacts: Plastic waste can have serious environmental impacts, including the release of toxic chemicals into the soil and water, the entanglement of wildlife in plastic litter, and the contribution to ocean pollution and the decline of marine life. The Plastic Waste Management Rules are designed to reduce these impacts by promoting more responsible waste management practices.
3. Health Risks: Plastic waste can also pose health risks to humans, particularly when it is burned or not disposed of properly. This can release toxic chemicals into the air, which can be inhaled and cause respiratory problems, as well as other health issues. The Plastic Waste Management Rules aim to reduce these risks by promoting responsible waste management practices.
4. Economic Impacts: Plastic waste can also have significant economic impacts, including the cost of cleaning up litter and pollution, the impact on tourism, and the loss of wildlife and biodiversity. The Plastic Waste Management Rules aim to reduce these impacts by promoting more sustainable waste management practices and encouraging the reuse and recycling of plastic waste.

History of Waste Plastic Management

The history of plastic waste management in India began in the 1980s as plastic usage increased, leading to pollution and negative effects on health and the environment.

In the 1990s, the Indian government started implementing policies and regulations to reduce plastic waste and promote recycling, such as requiring manufacturers and importers of plastic carry bags to use a specified percentage of recycled plastic in their products.

In recent years, plastic waste pollution in India has become a major concern, and in 2016, the government announced various programmes with a focus on plastic waste management.

Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016

In India, plastic waste management rules are governed by the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, which are implemented by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. Some of the key provisions of these rules include:

1. Ban on certain plastic items: A ban on the manufacture, sale, and use of plastic carry bags less than 50 microns, plastic sheets and films, non-woven polypropylene bags, and vacuum pouches, among others.
2. Plastic waste collection and disposal: Requiring all urban local bodies to establish a plastic waste collection and disposal system and designate a “door-to-door” collection system for households.
3. Producer responsibility: Making producers and importers responsible for the proper collection and disposal of plastic waste generated from their products.
4. Plastic waste segregation: Encouraging households, institutions, and establishments to segregate plastic waste from other waste streams.
5. Plastic waste processing: Requiring state governments to identify and designate appropriate facilities for the processing and disposal of plastic waste.
6. Public awareness: Promoting public awareness and education on the importance of proper plastic waste management and the hazards of plastic litter.

Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules 2018

Amendments were made to the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, in 2018.  Some of the key changes include:

1. Prohibiting the use of plastic-coated paper and multilayered sachets: A ban on the use of plastic-coated paper and multilayered sachets for packaging and storing food items, such as sweets, namkeens, and other snack foods.
2. Increasing the extent of producer responsibility: Making producers and importers responsible for the end-of-life management of their products and extending their responsibilities to include the collection, segregation, storage, transportation, and processing of plastic waste.
3. Plastic waste collection: Requiring urban local bodies to establish a door-to-door collection system for plastic waste, with a focus on the collection of multilayered plastic sachets and films.
4. Plastic waste processing: Encouraging the development of in-house plastic waste processing facilities by residential welfare associations, housing societies, and other similar establishments.

Plastic Waste Management Rules 2021

The Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2021, are the latest set of regulations for managing plastic waste in India. They replace the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, and aim to further improve the management of plastic waste in the country. Some of the key provisions of these rules include:

1. Ban on certain plastic items: A ban on the manufacture, sale, use, and import of single-use plastic items, including cutlery, plates, and spoons, with a few exceptions.
2. Plastic waste collection and disposal: Requiring urban local bodies to establish a door-to-door collection system for plastic waste and to ensure that at least 90% of the plastic waste generated is collected and processed.
3. Producer responsibility: Making producers, brand owners, and importers responsible for the end-of-life management of their products, including the collection, segregation, storage, transportation, and processing of plastic waste.
4. Plastic waste segregation: Encouraging households, institutions, and establishments to segregate plastic waste from other waste streams and to store it separately.
5. Plastic waste processing: Requiring state governments to designate plastic waste processing facilities and encourage the use of environmentally sound methods for the processing and disposal of plastic waste.
6. Public education: Promoting public education and awareness about the importance of proper plastic waste management and the hazards of plastic litter.

Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules 2022

The Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules 2022 have been enacted in India to improve the existing regulations on plastic waste management.

Key changes include:

1. Ban on single-use plastic items (such as plastic bags, cutlery, and straws) to reduce plastic waste and promote sustainability.
2. Implementation of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program, where manufacturers must take responsibility for the end-of-life management of their products.
3. Mandatory use of recycled plastic in certain products to promote recycling and reduce waste.
4. Promotion of collection and segregation of plastic waste.
5. Increased penalties for plastic waste mismanagement.

These amendments aim to reduce plastic waste and promote responsible waste management practices, having a positive impact on the environment and human health.

Categories of Regulated Plastics

As per the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules 2022 in India, there are several categories of plastics that are regulated:

Multi-use plastics: These are plastic products that are designed for repeated use and have a long lifespan, such as containers for food and beverages, household items, and industrial packaging.

Single-use plastics: These are plastic products that are designed for one-time use and have a short lifespan, such as plastic bags, cutlery, and straws.

Biodegradable plastics: These are plastics that are designed to break down into natural substances in the environment within a specified time period, usually within a year.

Non-biodegradable plastics: These are plastics that do not break down in the environment and remain as plastic waste for a long time.

Note: The Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules 2022 focus primarily on single-use plastics, as these items have a high environmental impact but are often used only once before being discarded. The rules introduce a ban on certain single-use plastic items, such as plastic bags, cutlery, and straws, which are a significant source of plastic waste.

Steps Taken by the Government?

There are several green initiatives that have been taken by the Indian government for plastic management:

• Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016: The government introduced the Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016, which assign responsibilities to different stakeholders, including manufacturers, importers, local bodies, and individuals for-
  • Collection
  • Segregation
  • Storage
  • Transportation
  • Processing
  • Disposal
    
    Now replaced by Plastic Waste Management Rules 2021.

• Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission): The government launched the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan in 2014, which includes a focus on plastic waste management and the promotion of cleanliness and sanitation.

• Plastic bag bans: The government has banned the use of certain types of single-use plastic items such as plastic bags, cups, and plates in an effort to reduce plastic waste.

• Plastic bottle deposit schemes: Some Indian states have implemented deposit schemes, where a small fee is added to the price of plastic bottles, which is refunded when the bottle is returned for recycling.

• Plastic waste collection and recycling programs: The government has established collection and recycling programs for plastic waste, with the goal of diverting plastic waste from landfills and the environment.

• Plastic tax: The government has introduced a tax on plastic products and packaging as a way of reducing plastic waste and encouraging the use of sustainable alternatives.

• Plastic-to-fuel: The government is exploring the use of plastic-to-fuel technology to convert plastic waste into liquid fuel, which can be used for industrial and transportation purposes.

• Incineration: The government is also promoting the use of Incineration of plastic waste to convert plastic into energy which can be used to generate electricity.

• Plastic-free certification: The government is promoting the use of Plastic-free certification for products, packaging, and companies that meet certain standards for reducing plastic waste.

• Public awareness campaign: The government is also running a public awareness campaign to educate people about the importance of plastic waste management and the impact of plastic pollution on the environment and human health.

These green initiatives are not just limited to these, many other initiatives are being taken by the Indian government to reduce the plastic waste and promote the sustainable use of resources and materials.

Impact on Importers & Exporters in India

The plastic waste management rules have a significant impact on both importers and exporters. 

Importers:

The rules have resulted in stricter regulations and increased scrutiny, making it more difficult and costly to import plastic products. 

This is due to the government’s efforts to reduce plastic waste and promote sustainable waste management practices. 

Exporters:

The rules have led to increased awareness and demand for eco-friendly and sustainable products, creating new opportunities for exporters who can meet these standards.

However, non-compliance with plastic waste management rules can result in penalties and legal consequences for both importers and exporters

Steps to Cope with Plastic Waste Management Rules:

There are several strategies that importers and exporters can apply for plastic waste management:

• Use sustainable packaging: Importers and exporters can choose to use packaging that is made from sustainable materials, such as bioplastics or paper, or that is easily recyclable.

This can help to reduce the amount of plastic waste generated.

• Implement recycling programs: Importers and exporters can set up programs to collect and recycle the plastic waste generated by their products. 

This can include working with local authorities or waste management companies to establish collection and recycling infrastructure.

• Encourage customers to recycle: Importers and exporters can educate their customers about the importance of recycling and provide them with information on how to recycle their products’ packaging.

• Promote extended producer responsibility: Importers and exporters can take responsibility for the end-of-life management of their products by contributing to the cost of collection, transportation, and treatment of waste generated by their products.

• Compliance with regulations: Importers and exporters should ensure that they are compliant with all relevant regulations related to plastic waste management in the countries where they operate, such as labeling requirements, recycling targets, and packaging bans.

• Innovate: Importers and exporters can invest in research and development to find new and innovative ways to reduce plastic waste, such as developing biodegradable or compostable packaging materials.

• Collaboration: Importers and exporters can work together with other stakeholders, such as governments, waste management companies, and non-profit organizations to find sustainable solutions for plastic waste management.

• Measure and monitor: Importers and exporters can implement systems to measure and monitor the amount of plastic waste generated by their products and track the progress of their waste management efforts.

• Offset emissions: Importers and exporters can offset their emissions of greenhouse gases by investing in carbon offset projects such as reforestation or clean energy.