What is Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)?
EPR is a policy approach under which producers of products are held responsible for the end-of-life management of those products. In other words, EPR is a way of shifting the responsibility for managing the environmental impact of a product from the government and taxpayers to the producers of the product.
How is EPR Implemented in India?
EPR is implemented through a variety of laws and regulations at the national and state level in India. At the national level, the most significant piece of legislation related to EPR is the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, which was amended in 2018.
These rules place the responsibility for the collection and disposal of plastic waste on the producers of plastic products, including manufacturers, importers, and brand owners. Another important piece of legislation related to EPR in India is the Electronic Waste (Management) Rules, 2016, which was amended in 2020.
These rules place the responsibility for the collection, transportation, and disposal of electronic waste on the producers of electronic products, including manufacturers, importers, and brand owners. In addition to these national laws, several states in India have their own EPR programs and regulations.
Benefits of EPR in India
Encourages Producers to Design Products that are More Easily Recyclable and Less Harmful to the Environment By internalizing the costs of managing the end-of-life of their products, producers are incentivized to design products that are easier to recycle or dispose of in an environmentally responsible manner.
Reduces Burden on Local Governments and Taxpayers
Under traditional waste management systems, the government and taxpayers are responsible for managing the end-of-life of products, which can be expensive and resource-intensive. By shifting the responsibility to the producers of the products, the burden is lifted from the government and taxpayers, and the costs of managing the waste are internalized by the producers.
Challenges to Implementing EPR in India
Lack of Infrastructure and Capacity for Collection, Transport, and Recycling In many parts of India, there are not enough facilities to properly manage the end-of-life of products, which makes it difficult for producers to fulfill their responsibilities under EPR.
Lack of Awareness and Understanding Among Producers and Consumers Many producers are not aware of their responsibilities under EPR, and many consumers are not aware of the importance of properly disposing of their waste. This lack of awareness can make it difficult to effectively implement EPR programs.
Conclusion
EPR has the potential to significantly reduce waste and increase recycling in India. While there are challenges to implementing EPR, the benefits of reducing waste and increasing recycling make it an important policy approach to consider.
