EPR Recycling Targets in India as per CPCB
EPR Recycling Targets have been introduced under the EPR compliance regime to ensure environmentally sound management of co-processing, recycling and disposal, as per the principles enshrined under the environmental laws of the country. The EPR Recycling Targets are generated after the effective registration on EPR portals of CPCB, to streamline the overall waste management, and to keep an account of the amount of waste generated, collected, recycled, recovered, refurbished or disposed of as per the EPR guidelines.
Allow Enterclimate to assist you with the fulfillment of your EPR recycling targets as it has a renowned presence in the domain of Extended Producer Responsibility and related EPR Compliance. We've successfully helped over 5,000 businesses and organizations throughout the nation in timely fulfilling their EPR obligations, including recycling targets for plastic packaging waste.
Perks of EPR Target Fulfilment in Case
Apart from being a mandate imposed by the government and enforced by CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board), meeting environmental product responsibility, i.e, EPR targets such as timely plastic packaging waste management is crucial. EPR targets, specifically plastic packaging waste recycling targets, have become significant for businesses in India as they take care of various aspects such as environmental, legal, and reputational considerations. Some of the key reasons why EPR recycling targets are crucial for businesses in India are
Mandated EPR Registration
EPR targets, notably recycling targets for plastic packaging waste, are often mandated by government rules. To ensure EPR compliance and satisfy waste management rules, businesses must achieve these EPR targets, particularly plastic packaging waste recycling targets, to avoid legal consequences, potential fines, and penalties. Adhering to these EPR regulations ensures that businesses operate within the framework of the law.
Ensuring Environmental Stewardship
Implementing EPR recycling targets promotes responsible and sustainable waste management practices that are to be adopted by the entities prescribed in the rules. By fulfilling these targets, businesses contribute to reducing the adverse environmental impact of improper and ineffective waste management, preventing the overall pollution, and thereby contributing towards conserving natural resources.
Efficient Resource Utilization
Recycling products allows the businesses to help recover valuable materials, such as minerals and metals, thereby reducing the overexploitation of resources. This promotes efficient resource utilization, resource conservation and reduces the overall need for extracting and utilising new raw materials, thereby contributing to a circular economy.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
Another benefit of meeting EPR recycling targets is that it helps these businesses discharge their corporate social responsibility initiatives. The prospective investors often evaluate the businesses and companies to invest in on the parameters of their environmental impact, and fulfillment of their EPR obligations, which ultimately demonstrates their commitment to sustainable and ethical business practices.
Enhanced Brand Image and Reputation
Investors as well as the customers place an increasing emphasis on environmentally responsible practices. Businesses that meet their EPR recycling targets are known to gain added competitive advantage as it helps them build trust with their stakeholders, enhancing their reputation and brand image as socially accountable entities.
Market Access and International Trade
Adherence to EPR recycling targets ensures alignment with the prescribed global standards, facilitating international trade and commerce. Many multinational companies fall under various environmental regulations, and businesses that comply with the myriad of EPR targets gain a competitive advantage in the global marketplace.
Stakeholder Engagement and Satisfaction
Stakeholders are increasingly attracted to companies and business with strong environmental commitments. Meeting EPR recycling targets can positively impact employee satisfaction, stakeholder engagement, thereby creating a positive workplace culture.
Mitigating Environmental Risks
Businesses that ensure EPR compliance and meet EPR recycling targets as prescribed by the applicable rules tend to reduce the risk of environmental liabilities attached with their business activities. This proactive approach helps avoid potential legal challenges and associated costs.
Long Term Cost Savings
EPR recycling targets ensures that businesses adopt efficient and effective waste management practices. Over the long term, this allows the businesses to experience cost savings through improved resource efficiency, reduced waste disposal expenses, and minimized regulatory risks.
In summary, EPR recycling targets are essential for businesses in India, providing a framework for sustainable waste management, legal compliance, and positive contributions to environmental and social well-being. Achieving these targets not only fulfills regulatory obligations but also positions businesses as responsible and avant-garde contributors to a circular and sustainable economy.
Challenges Faced in Fulfilling EPR Recycling Targets in India
Fulfilling EPR recycling targets in India can be challenging as the same poses several hurdles that are needed to be crossed before businesses can fully achieve EPR Compliance. The objective of imposing EPR Recycling Targets on these businesses and entities is to give impetus towards generating a more sustainable and environmentally friendly approach towards proper and effective waste management in the country and thereby to reduce the consequent adverse environmental impacts on the society, however, there are various challenges that can complicate the process.
Businesses often struggle to navigate through the diverse EPR regulatory requirements, leading to potential non-compliance issues. Some of the most common challenges faced by businesses in meeting their EPR recycling targets are
Lack of Awareness Regarding EPR Compliance
Many businesses and entities in the country do not fully understand the intricate requirements of EPR compliance and regulations and therefore cannot comprehend the implications of failure to fulfil EPR recycling targets. This lack of awareness results in inadequate planning and implementation of recycling strategies, which often end up leading to adverse consequences.
Complex Regulatory Landscape of EPR
EPR registration requirements and regulations vary across industries and regions and thus can be quite complicated and complex to comprehend, thereby making EPR compliance and fulfilling EPR recycling targets extremely challenging for businesses operating across the nation at multiple locations. Keeping a track of the constant amendments and changes in the concerned EPR rules and regulations poses an additional challenge for businessmen who are often laymen with limited understanding of laws.
Cost Implications
Taking measures to introduce and implement proper and effective EPR recycling programs can be a costly affair as it necessitates and requires the business to make due investments in technology, infrastructure, and employee training, etc. Not every business or enterprise has these kinds of resources at their disposal. The small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) often find it particularly challenging to allocate resources for EPR compliance, leading to violations and financial challenges.
Limited Infrastructure for EPR Compliance
Another challenge faced by businesses in fulfilling their EPR recycling targets is the lack of adequate infrastructure for recycling waste, particularly electronic waste. More often than not the businesses struggle to find suitable recycling facilities or centres, leading to the improper disposal of their products and impeding their ability to meet EPR recycling targets. In addition to this the complex supply chains further make it difficult to trace the lifecycle of products making recycling an even bigger challenge.
Consumer Behavior & Resistance to Change
In order to make EPR compliance a success, it is imperative to educate consumers about the importance of responsible disposal and recycling, which can be a significant challenge. The resistance to change also contributes to the impediment of recycling practices. Without consumer cooperation, businesses will always find it difficult to collect obsolescent and end-of-life products for recycling, impeding EPR compliance.
Overcoming these challenges requires a hands-on and strategic approach. Businesses can benefit from EPR regulations, by fulfilling their EPR recycling targets and the adoption of innovative technologies to streamline recycling processes and enhance overall sustainability efforts.
EPR Recycling Targets as per Plastic Waste Management Rules in India
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) notified the Guidelines on Extended Producer Responsibility i.e., EPR target for plastic packaging on 16th February 2022. The plastic waste management rules stipulate mandatory EPR recycling targets which have been placed on producers, importers and the brand owners for the reuse of the rigid plastic packaging, along with minimum level of recycling of waste generated from plastic packaging and minimum use of recycled plastic content used in in plastic packaging.
EPR Targets for PIBOs
The target for minimum level of recycling of plastic waste, specified year-wise, across distinct categories of plastic packaging including but not limited to compostable packaging is given below
|
Year |
Target (% of Extended Producer Responsibility) |
|
2024-25 |
30-50 |
|
2025-26 |
40-60 |
|
2026-27 |
50-70 |
|
2027-28 onwards |
60-80 |
It has further been clarified by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) that the EPR recycling target for plastic packaging made from compostable plastic is 100 % from 2023-24.
EPR Target for Brand Owners
The EPR recycling targets for reuse of rigid plastic packaging by Brand Owners are as follows
|
EPR Recycling Target (as percentage of rigid plastic packaging in products sold annually) |
||||
|
|
2025-2026 |
2026-2027 |
2027-2028 |
2028-2029 and onwards |
|
Rigid plastic packaging however with volume or weight equal or more than 0.9 kg but less than 4.9 kg, as the case may be |
10 |
15 |
20 |
25 |
|
Rigid plastic packaging however with volume or weight equal or more than 0.9 kg but less than 4.9 kg, as the case may be |
70 |
75 |
80 |
85 |
How to Calculate EPR Target Fulfilment for Plastic?
For the year 2023-24, the EPR recycling Target has been set to 100 per cent of the eligible quantity (Q), which can be calculated with help of the following equation.
EPR Targets For Producers
EPR Recycling Target for Producers
Q= (A+ B) - C
Where; Q= Eligible Quantity in Metric Tonnes (MT) A= The average weight of plastic packaging material which must be category-wise, sold in the last 2 financial years. B= The average amount of pre-consumer plastic packaging waste produced in the last 2 financial years. C= The annual quantity supplied to the entities covered under sub-clause 4 (iii)i.e. Brand Owners in the previous financial year.
EPR Targets for Importers
EPR Recycling Target for Importers
Q= (A+ B) - C
Where; Q= Eligible Quantity in Metric Tonnes (MT) A= The average weight of all plastic packaging material and / or plastic packaging of imported products (category-wise) imported and sold in the last 2 financial years. B= The average quantity of pre-consumer plastic packaging in the last 2 financial years. C= The annual quantity supplied to the entities covered under sub-clause 4 (iii)i.e. Brand Owners in the previous financial years.
EPR Target For Brand Owners
EPR Recycling Target for Brand Owners
Q= (A+ B)
Where;
Q= Eligible Quantity in Metric Tonnes (MT)
A=The average weight of virgin plastic packaging material purchased category-wise and introduced in market in the last 2 financial years.
B=The average quantity of pre-consumer plastic packaging in the last 2 financial years.
EPR Recycling Targets for E-Waste as per CPCB
The E-Waste (Management and Handling) Rules Amendment 2018 revised the EPR recycling targets of E-waste collection by 10% quantity of waste generated collected during 2017-18; along with 10% increase every year until 2023. After 2023, the E-Waste collection target was fixed by the rules at 70% of the quantity of waste generation.
Furthermore, the amendment in 2022 mandated the manufactures, producers, recyclers and dismantlers to be registered on the centralized CPCB portal and not to engage with any unregistered manufacturers, producers, recyclers and refurbishers. Schedule III of the Rules, specified the E-waste recycling targets (by weight) for the financial year 2022-23, 2023-24 and 202-25 onwards, which shall be as follows.
|
Sl. No. |
Year (Y) |
E-Waste Recycling Target (by weight) |
|
1 |
2023 -2024 |
60% of the quantity of an EEE placed in the market in year Y-X, where ‘X’ is the average life of that product |
|
2 |
2024 -2025 |
60% of the quantity of an EEE placed in the market in year Y-X, where ‘X’ is the average life of that product |
|
3 |
2025 -2026 |
70% of the quantity of an EEE placed in the market in year Y-X, where ‘X’ is the average life of that product |
|
4 |
2026-2027 |
70% of the quantity of an EEE placed in the market in year Y-X, where ‘X’ is the average life of that product |
|
5 |
2027-2028 |
80% of the quantity of an EEE placed in the market in year Y-X, where ‘X’ is the average life of that product |
|
6 |
2028-2029 onwards |
80% of the quantity of an EEE placed in the market in year Y-X, where ‘X’ is the average life of that product |
Additionally, it must be noted that
- E-waste recycling target shall be reviewed and may be increased after the end of year 2028- 2029.
- The importers of used electrical and electronic equipment shall have 100% extended producer responsibility (EPR) obligation for the imported material after end of life, especially if not re-exported.
- E-Waste recycling targets are not be applicable for waste generated from solar photovoltaic modules or panels or cells.
However, EPR Recycling Targets for nascent producers, who have started their sales operations recently have different EPR recycling targets, i.e. when the number of years of sales operations turns out to be less than the average life of their products mentioned in the guidelines issued by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) from time to time, they will have different targets and when the number of years of sales operation becomes equal to the average life of the product mentioned in the guidelines issued by CPCB, their EPR recycling target obligation will be similar to the rest of the producers, as illustrated in the aforementioned table.
Meanwhile, the nascent producers who have started sales operations recently shall have the following targets
|
S.No. |
Year |
E-Waste Recycling Target (by weight) |
|
1. |
2023-2024 |
15% of the sales figure in financial year 2021-22 |
|
2. |
2024-2025 |
20% of the sales figure in financial year 2022-23 |
|
3. |
2025-2026 onwards |
20% of the sales figure of the financial year two years back |
Note: E-Waste recycling targets shall not be applicable for waste generated from solar photo-voltaic modules or panels or cells.
EPR Recycling Targets for Battery Waste
Battery Constituent Wise EPR Recycling targets are auto generated once the application is submitted to CPCB, as mandated by Battery Waste Management (BWM) Rules notified and introduced by the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) on 22nd August, 2022. These EPR Recycling targets are calculated based on the Battery Collection Targets data and Percentage of Battery Material in different Battery Type and Composition.
As per the provision enshrined under Rule 4 (1), Producer has to ensure the EPR Compliance for the Batteries that they introduce in the market to ensure the realization of the recycling or refurbishing requirements. Therefore, the producers are required to fulfill their EPR recycling target obligations by ensuring that waste battery is recycled through certified waste battery recyclers to meet assigned EPR recycling targets. They shall obtain EPR certificates from recyclers according to the quantity of waste batteries recycled by recyclers and use such certificates to meet their EPR targets.
The EPR recycling targets are different for different types of batteries provided under the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022. It must be noted that EPR targets for the Producer are specific to the kind of Battery i.e. Lead acid, Li-Ion, Nickel Cadmium, Zinc based Battery, etc. within each type of Battery- portable, automotive, industrial and electric vehicle Battery for instance the targets for portable battery used in consumer electronics which are rechargeable are
|
S.no. |
Type of Battery |
Recovery Target for the year in percentage |
||
|
|
|
2024-2025 |
2025-2026 |
2026-2027 Onwards |
|
1 |
Portable |
70 |
80 |
90 |
|
2 |
Automotive |
55 |
60 |
60 |
|
3 |
Industrial |
55 |
60 |
60 |
|
4 |
Electric Vehicle |
70 |
80 |
90 |
EPR Recycling Targets for Waste Tyre
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has notified amendments in Hazardous waste rules known as “The Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Amendment Rules, 2022”, to include provisions for utilization & management of waste tyre. Under EPR framework, the producers of new tyres have been obligated for ensuring environmentally sound management of waste tyre in accordance with the guidance provided under schedule-IX of the Amended Rules.
To fulfil their EPR Compliance, Producers are required to purchase EPR Certificate from registered Recyclers. The quantity of EPR certificates purchased will be adjusted against EPR obligation. Producers may also buy Retreading certificate for adjournment or the deferment of their EPR obligations, however the obligations can only be considered fulfilled once the Recycling certificates are purchased.
The following businesses are required to register as a producer on CPCB
- Businesses involved in manufacturing and selling new tyres in India.
- Businesses selling new tyres under their brand name
- Businesses selling new tyres manufactured by other manufacturers or suppliers
- Businesses involved in importing and selling new tyres or vehicles fitted with new tyres,
- Businesses who are automobile manufacturers and who import new tyres for use in new vehicles sold in India.
The EPR Target Obligations as per these Rules are
For New Tyres
|
Sr. No. |
Year |
Recycling Targets in Weight (Kilogram or Tons) |
|
1 |
2022-23 |
35% of the quantity of new tyre manufactured or imported in year 2020-2021 |
|
2 |
2023-24 |
70% of the quantity of new tyre manufactured or imported in year 2021-2022 |
|
3 |
2024-25 |
100% of the quantity of newly manufactured or imported in year 2022-2023. |
|
Post 2024-2025 (year Y), the extended producer responsibility i.e. EPR Recycling Target Obligation must be 100% of the quantity of new tyres manufactured or imported in the year (Y-2). |
||
|
In case of the units established post 1st April, 2022, the EPR Recycling Target Obligation shall begin after 2 years (Y) and shall be 100% of the new tyres manufactured as well as imported in the year (Y-2). |
||
For Old Tyres
- The EPR Recycling Target Obligation for waste tyre imported in year (Y) shall be 100% of the tyre imported in year (Y-1).
- It must be noted that the import of waste tyre solely for the purpose of producing pyrolysis oil or char is prohibited.
Need for Implementation of EPR Recycling Targets
With the product take-back policy mandate and EPR recycling targets approach, the government dictates that manufacturers and retailers individually or collectively as a consortium take back the products at the end of the products’ useful lives to reduce the ineffectiveness of the waste management. All the prescribed waste management rules are aimed at providing a framework for safe handling, treatment & processing, recycling and recovery, reuse in feasible and achievable avenues and final disposal in environmentally sound manner. Application and monitoring of these rules are done through CPCB and SPCB/PCCs.
To promote Circular Economy, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) through amendments/notifications, has incorporated the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework in several waste management rules, under which they have mandated the businesses to achieve and full the EPR Recycling Targets. EPR Compliance enables the accountability of producers to manage the waste generated from the products introduced, in environmentally sound manner.
Notified Waste Management Rules
- Plastic Waste: Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016
- Solid Waste: Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016
- Hazardous Waste: Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016
- E-waste: E-waste (Management) Rules, 2022
- Tyre Waste: Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Waste Tyre, 2022
- Construction and Demolition Waste: Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2016
- Bio-medical waste: Bio-medical Waste Management Rules, 2016
- Battery waste: Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022
- Fly ash: Ash Utilisation Notification, 2021
EPR Target Fulfilment
EPR target fulfilment has been ensured under the EPR framework by introducing and implementing the rules pertaining to EPR Compliance in order to promote the recycling business. Recyclers are allowed to sell EPR certificates to fulfil EPR targets, which further promotes
- Recycling & environmentally sound End of Life management
- Use of recycled content
- Creation of new business models for collection and processing
- Increase in recycling infrastructure/ EOL management
Data Relating to EPR Recycling Targets in India
As per the Action plan for circular economy submitted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and as per the annual reports published by CPCB, Solid waste generated in India was 584 lakh tonnes per annum out of which 291.8 lakh was recycled (Annual report 2020-21), the plastic waste generated was 34.5 lakh tonnes per annum (Annual report 2019-20) out of which approximately 15 lakh tonnes per annum of plastic waste was recycled and 1.6 Lakh tonnes per annum was co-processed in cement kilns. E-waste generated in year 2021-22 was around 16 lakh tonnes out of which approximately 5.3 lakh tonnes (32.9%) of e-waste was collected, dismantled and recycled or disposed. Waste tyres generated in year 2018-2019 was 15.25 lakh tonnes of which 11.36 lakh tonnes (74.5%) was processed.
To promote circular economy, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change MoEFCC through numerous amendments, has introduced and implemented the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework in several waste management rules. EPR makes the producers accountable to manage the waste generated from their products brought into the market, in an environmentally friendly manner. Therefore, EPR framework promotes Recycling business.
Recyclers can sell EPR certificates to fulfil EPR targets. Therefore, it promotes
- Recycling & environmentally sound End of Life management
- Use of recycled content
- Ensuring new business models for collection and processing
- Increase in recycling infrastructure
The regulations mandating market based Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) on producers, importers and brand owners following the principle of circular economy have been notified by the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India in the following four categories of wastes.
- Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Waste Tyre, 2022 on 21.07.2022
- Guidelines on EPR for Plastic Packaging on 16.02.2022.
- Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022 on 22.08.2022.
- E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 on 02.11.2022.
Our EPR Recycling Target Compliance Services
For businesses looking to reach their EPR recycling targets, Enterclimate’s EPR Compliance Services in India provide a variety of benefits. By engaging our EPR Consultants, you can access the following services
Expert EPR Consultation
Expert EPR Consultation is what is needed to guide your business personnel who are often unacquainted with the innumerable rules and regulations that are mandatory for ensuring EPR Compliance. Our team of experts navigate you through the arduous and multifaceted procedures and help you comprehend the elaborate requirements as per your needs and eligibilities.
Unparalleled Regulatory Guidance
EPR Compliance falls under the ambit of a myriad of laws, rules and regulations that have been legitimately mandated by the concerned authorities. Failure to adhere to these rules and regulations can attract adverse consequences. Enterclimate provides all-inclusive and wide-ranging legal support services to ensure you reach your EPR recycling targets without any hassle, by providing a customizable package of services that can be custom-made to your priorities and needs.
Documentation Support
The EPR compliance process entails complex and arduous documentation, therefore the entities must ensure there are no lapses or inaccuracies. Such mistakes and failures, even if inadvertent, can lead to suspensions or, in the worst case, even rejections. Therefore, the concerned entities must ensure meticulous submission of the extensive paperwork containing all compulsory details. We are well aware how this entire process can be time-consuming and resource-intensive; thus, in order to make it seamless, our team of experts help our clients efficiently fulfil all the necessary documentation requirements to ensure due EPR Compliance.
End-to-End Assistance
Our team of professionals and experts are known to provide end-to-end assistance throughout the process because of the extensive experience they hold in the field of environmental regulatory compliance and clearances. Our licensing experts are copiously equipped to provide all-inclusive assistance throughout the process of your EPR compliance.
Incessant Client Support
At Enterclimate, our team ensures that our valuable clients are up to date with the latest rules, regulations and guidelines and updates regarding EPR Compliance in their concerned field so that they can ensure appropriate monitoring. We ensure that clients do not have to worry about the updates on their EPR registration or compliance process, in fact our team ensures that timely updates reach our clients so that they can stay abreast of everything.
Why Achieve EPR Recycling Targets with Enterclimate?
Achieving EPR Recycling Targets with Enterclimate can be a gamechanger for your business because of the extensive experience and strong presence it holds in the environmental and EPR compliance domain. By choosing Enterclimate, you will be able to unlock an array of benefits that will open doors for you to thrive in the extra competitive marketplace by ensuring the fulfilment of EPR recycling targets and ensuring the discharge of other environmental and legal obligations.
Our bespoke team of industry professionals and experts bring years of experience to the table to help our valuable clients. Our experts stay abreast of all the amendments in rules to ensure your business remains compliant with the applicable regulations in order for you to avoid any inadvertent mistakes and failures. We are known to maintain stern ethical standards and, therefore, we promise to provide you with outstanding services and valued insights. If you want to deliberate and learn more about EPR Compliance and reaching your EPR recycling targets, then please do not hesitate to contact us.
Getting Started
Get ready to attain excellence by ensuring EPR Compliance. Contact us at 7838390340 to discuss how Enterclimate can help you achieve success in your business. Join us today in constructing a profitable as well as a sustainable future.
