On February 16, 2022, the Indian Ministry of Environment (MoE) published guidelines for an expanded extended producer responsibility (EPR) program for plastic packaging within the country, which is effective immediately. Applied to both pre- and post-consumer plastic waste, the program sets increasingly strict recycling targets for plastic producers, importers, and brand-owners starting at a minimum of 25% of plastics recycled this year.
The program categorizes four types of plastic packaging: (i) rigid plastic, (ii) flexible “packaging of single layer or multilayer (more than one layer with different types of plastic),” (iii) multilayered packaging with “at least one layer of plastic and at least one layer of material other than plastic,” and (iv) standard and compostable plastic sheet. Each category and stakeholder has a slightly different recycling target. Targets are to be monitored in a new online portal by the Indian Pollution Control Association, a governmental body. The India Times reports there are some concerns “small companies, in small cities will find it difficult to meet the targets,” but it is “a step in the right direction.”
In the same amendment notification, Polymer Update reported that the MoE postponed a single-use plastics ban until July 1, 2022. The ban was originally meant to be enforced January 1, 2022.
In September 2021, India announced it was going to allow recycled plastics in food contact materials (FPF reported). However, after significant pushback from scientific experts and even the Delhi High Court, the Food Safety and Standards Authority India (FSSAI) issued an updated policy in January 2022. According to reporting by Food Navigator Asia, the experts were concerned about who in the country was responsible for ensuring that recycled plastics meet safety standards. Indian recycling facilities do not have the same quality controls as some other countries that allow recycled plastics in food contact applications. The updated policy is more explicit, clarifying that recycled plastics must reach the same health standards as virgin plastic food contact materials, and includes an addendum with necessary paperwork for manufacturers.
References
Ministry of Environment (February 16, 2022). “Guidelines on Extended Producer Responsibility for Plastic Packaging.” (pdf)
Bobins Abraham (February 22, 2022). “EPR For Plastic Packaging Waste Is A Step In The Right Direction But Has Set Impossible Targets.” India Times
Polymer Update (February 22, 2022). “India government defers ban on single-use plastics by six months.”
FSSAI (January 18, 2022). “Guidelines for recycling of post-consumer PET for food contact applications.” (pdf)
Pearly Neo (March 14, 2022). “For a cleaner India: Food safety authority tightens proposals for recycled plastic packaging after pushback.” Food Navigator Asia
Read more
Mohd Ujaley (February 15, 2022). “Recycled plastics packaging need major overhaul to gain confidence of food industry: Top polymer scientist.” The Economic Times
Vishwa Mohan (February 18, 2022). “Govt streamlines collection and recycling of plastic packaging waste, producers to pay penalty for mishandling.” Times of India
Jayashree Nandi (February 19, 2022). “Centre notifies guidelines on plastic packaging.” Hindustan Times
Chakraborty, P., et al. (2022). “Interlinkage Between Persistent Organic Pollutants and Plastic in the Waste Management System of India: An Overview.” Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s00128-022-03466-x
