Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2024 | 28 Mar 2024

Source: TH

Why in News?

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of India has recently introduced amendments to the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, through the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2024.

• These changes signify a significant effort to address plastic pollution in India, particularly by targeting microplastics and setting stricter criteria for biodegradable plastics.

What are the Key Highlights of the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules 2024?

• Biodegradable Plastics:
  • Biodegradable plastics are now defined as materials capable of degradation by biological processes in specific environments like soil and landfill, without leaving any microplastics.
    • Microplastics are defined as any solid plastic particle insoluble in water, with dimensions between 1 micron and 1,000 microns (1 micron is one-thousandth of a millimetre).
      • In recent years, they have been reported as a major source of pollution affecting rivers and oceans.
• Microplastics Testing:
  • The rules do not specify which chemical tests can establish the absence of microplastics or the extent to which microplastics must be reduced for elimination.
• Expanded Definition of "Importer":
  • The definition now includes imports of various plastic-related materials such as packaging, carry bags, sheets, raw materials, and intermediate materials used in plastic manufacturing for commercial purposes.
    • Earlier, "importer" referred to someone who imported plastic packaging, products with plastic packaging, carry bags, multilayered packaging, plastic sheets, or similar items.
• Inclusive Definition of "Manufacturer":
  • The scope now encompasses those engaged in the production of plastic raw materials, compostable plastics, and biodegradable plastics, reflecting a broader range of entities covered under this term.
• Extended Scope of "Producer":
  • Beyond manufacturing plastic packaging, it now includes the production of intermediate materials used in plastic packaging and contract manufacturing for brand owners.
• Certification Requirement:
  • Manufacturers are allowed to produce carry bags and commodities from compostable or biodegradable plastics, and must obtain a certificate from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) before marketing or selling their products.

What are Biodegradable Plastics and Compostable Plastics?

What are the Recent Plastic Waste Management Rules in India?

• Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016:
  • The Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, mandate the generators of plastic waste to take steps to minimise the generation of plastic waste, not to litter the plastic waste, ensure segregated storage of waste at source & hand over segregated waste in accordance with rules.
  • The PWM Rules, 2016 cast Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) on Producer, Importer, and Brand Owner and EPR shall be applicable to both pre-consumer and post-consumer plastic packaging waste.
  • Increased the minimum thickness of plastic carry bags from 40 microns to 50 microns and stipulated a minimum thickness of 50 microns for plastic sheets.
  • Expand the jurisdiction of applicability from municipal areas to rural areas.
    • Responsibility for implementation of the rules is given to Gram Panchayat in rural areas.
  • Introduction of waste segregation at source for individual and bulk generators
• Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules 2018:
  • Phasing out of multi-layered plastic (MLP) (material used or to be used for packaging and having at least one layer of plastic) is now applicable to MLP which are "non-recyclable, or non-energy recoverable, or with no alternate use."
  • Prescribed a central registration system for the registration of the producer/importer/brand owner of plastics.
  • The centralised registration system will be evolved by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for the registration of the producer/importer/brand owner.
  • The rules aim to streamline the registration process for producers, importers, and brand owners, while also providing a mechanism for phasing out non-recyclable multi-layered plastics.
• Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021:
  • Prohibits identified single-use plastic items that have low utility and high littering potential by 2022.
    • Prohibition of manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of certain single-use plastic items including polystyrene and expanded polystyrene from 1st July 2022.
  • Plastic packaging waste not covered by the phase-out of single-use plastic items will be collected and managed in an environmentally sustainable way through Extended Producer Responsibility.
    • This responsibility is legally enforced through the Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021.
  • Increase in the thickness of plastic carry bags from 50 microns to 75 microns with effect from 30^th September 2021, and to 120 microns with effect from 31^st December 2022.
• Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022:
  • Introduced guidelines on EPR for plastic packaging. These guidelines set mandatory targets for EPR, recycling of plastic packaging waste, reuse of rigid plastic packaging, and the use of recycled plastic content.
  • Environmental compensation will be imposed on those who fail to meet EPR targets, based on the polluter pays principle.
    • This is to protect and improve the environment, and prevent, control, and reduce pollution.
    • The principle holds polluters responsible for compensating for the damage caused to the environment, regardless of their intent.
  • The guidelines provide a framework to strengthen the circular economy of plastic packaging waste.

What are the other Initiatives taken to Curb Plastic Waste?

• Swachh Bharat Mission
• India Plastics Pact
• Project REPLAN
• Un-Plastic Collective
• GoLitter Partnerships Project

Read more: India's Battle Against Single-Use Plastics, Banning Single-Use Plastic, Eliminating Plastic Pollution by 2040