Draft Notification on EPR on Waste Oil | 11 May 2023

Why in News?

Recently, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) introduced a draft notification on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) on waste oil.

• The Union Budget 2023-24 in India emphasizes sustainable development and a circular economy, with a goal of shifting from a linear model to a circular one through the replacement of natural resource usage with valuable waste materials.

What is the Draft Notification on EPR on Waste Oil?

• About:
  • EPR on waste oil is to improve the circularity of waste oil management. Waste oil is a contaminant that contains harmful substances that can pollute freshwater and soil.
    • Waste oil can act as a contaminant as it contains benzene, zinc, cadmium and other impurities that have the potential to pollute freshwater.
• Aim:
  • Prevent pollution and bring waste oil collection and recycling under the formal sector.
• Recommendation:
  • It recommends the registration of stakeholders, including producers, collection agents, recyclers and waste oil importers, on Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) online portal.
• Applicability:
  • EPR on waste oil is applicable to producers, and bulk generators (like industry, railways, transport companies, power transmission companies, etc.).
• EPR Targets:
  • Gradual increase in waste oil recycling targets, starting from 2024-25.
  • Base year target set at 10%, increasing by 10% annually until 2029.
  • Future targets based on the quantity of lubrication oil sold or imported annually.
• Provisions and Responsibilities:
  • EPR certificate generation, computation of eligible quantity, and transaction details.
  • Clear demarcation of responsibilities for producers, importers, agents, recyclers, etc.
  • Online portal for registration, filing returns, and tracing oil produced or generated.
  • Bureau of Indian Standards is entrusted with setting necessary standards for re-refined oil.
• Challenges:
  • Need for monitoring, verification, and auditing mechanisms.
  • Overburden on Central Pollution Control Board(CPCB) and State Pollution Control Boards(SPCBs) require additional support.
  • Focus on improving waste oil circularity and reducing fresh oil consumption.
  • Questions on compliance, third-party audits, and monitoring oversight.
• Expert Opinions:
  • Positive reception by non-profit organizations for EPR on waste oil.
  • Concerns over implementation, monitoring, oversight, and penalties for defaulters.

What is India’s Progress Towards Circular Economy?

• Notifying various rules and policies for waste management, such as the Plastic Waste Management Rules,2022, e-Waste Management Rules 2022, Battery Waste Management Rules 2022 etc.
• Constituting 11 committees led by the concerned line ministries to prepare comprehensive action plans for transitioning from a linear to a circular economy in 11 focus areas, such as agriculture, mobility, textiles, electronics, etc.
• NITI also organized an international conference on ‘Sustainable Growth through National Recycling’.
• Collaborating with international partners, such as the European Union and the United States, to exchange best practices and learnings on resource efficiency and circular economy.
• Supporting social and environmental innovators who are developing circular economy solutions for waste management, such as the World Institute of Sustainable Energy.
• Encouraging businesses and industries to adopt circular economy principles and practices in their production systems and supply chains.
• India's progress toward a circular economy is still in its early stages and faces many challenges, such as a lack of awareness, data gaps, regulatory barriers, infrastructural constraints, and behavioral inertia.
  • However, with concerted efforts from all stakeholders and continuous learning and innovation, India can achieve its vision of a resilient and inclusive circular economy.

Source: DTE