India advances plastic waste management with robust EPR enforcement

INDIA – India has made significant strides in tackling its plastic waste crisis, processing 15.3 million tons of plastic packaging waste since 2022, according to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

In a statement during a Rajya Sabha session on December 5, 2024, State Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh announced that 978 plastic waste management units are now operational, reflecting the nation’s commitment to sustainable waste handling.

The country generated 4.13 million tons of plastic waste in fiscal year 2022-23, a five-year high, up from 3.36 million tons in 2018-19. 

To address this, the government has intensified its Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) guidelines, holding producers, importers, and brand owners accountable. 

“Our EPR framework ensures that those who produce plastic waste are responsible for its lifecycle,” Singh emphasized. 

For 2023-24, EPR targets were set at 6.15 million tons, with 4.64 million tons recycled, while 2.49 million tons were processed out of 2.72 million tons in 2022-23.

Enforcement against banned single-use plastics, effective since July 2022, has been rigorous. Over 861,740 inspections led to the seizure of 1,985 tons of illegal plastic, with fines totaling US$2.2 million. 

“We are cracking down on items with high littering potential to protect our environment,” said a ministry official. 

The National Plastic Pollution Reduction Campaign, running until October 31, 2025, has further pushed for reduced plastic use, particularly in ecologically sensitive areas like Tiger Reserves.

To promote alternatives, a compendium of eco-friendly substitute manufacturers was released on June 5, 2025. 

The Central Pollution Control Board also launched an updated online reporting system, mandating urban local bodies and district panchayats to submit digital reports by June 30 annually.

 “This system enhances transparency and accountability,” a CPCB spokesperson noted.

A January 2025 amendment to the Plastic Waste Management Rules mandates labeling plastic packaging with barcodes or QR codes by July 1, 2025, to improve traceability. 

Additionally, from April 1, 2025, producers must incorporate 30% recycled content in rigid plastic packaging, with targets rising to 60% by 2028-29. 

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