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Expanding Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
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The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) is set to broaden the scope of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to include construction and demolition (C&D) waste, used cooking oil, and toxic and hazardous waste.
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- This move follows previous efforts to regulate plastic packaging and electronic waste, signaling a push towards greater environmental accountability and sustainability.
- EPR is a policy mechanism that makes producers responsible for the entire lifecycle of their products, including post-consumer disposal.
New EPR Guidelines for C&D Waste
- The upcoming EPR rules for C&D waste will require the mandatory use of recycled materials in construction projects, including buildings and roads.
- Furthermore, large-scale generators of C&D waste—such as buildings undergoing demolition or redevelopment—will be required to deposit their waste at authorised processing facilities. They must also obtain recycling certificates, ensuring accountability and compliance.
- To ensure compliance, annual environmental damage compensation rates will be introduced, starting at 5% for the initial two years and increasing to 10% thereafter.
- The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) will oversee these penalties and monitor adherence to the new EPR framework.
Used Cooking Oil: A Potential Resource for Sustainable Aviation Fuel
- The MoEFCC is also working on EPR regulations for used cooking oil, aiming to convert it into valuable products such as Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), animal feed, and soap.
- Currently, used cooking oil remains largely unutilised due to a lack of demand.
- The proposed EPR rules will create a structured system where producers must purchase used cooking oil, fostering a market for its collection and recycling.
- A phased approach will be adopted to gradually increase recycling targets, ensuring market viability and attracting recyclers.
- India has set an ambitious goal to mandate a 1% SAF usage in international commercial flights by 2027, rising to 2% by 2028.
- This initiative aligns with global efforts to reduce carbon emissions from the aviation sector.
EPR for Toxic and Hazardous Waste
- The ministry is also considering introducing EPR for toxic and hazardous waste.
- Where feasible, industries will be required to either transfer such waste to authorised facilities or repurpose it into new products, minimising environmental harm.
- Interministerial committees will be established to assess the feasibility of these new EPR models.
- While a committee on used cooking oil will examine collection and refining processes, another will study the industry-wide impact of managing toxic and hazardous waste.
