EPR Expansion: C&D Waste, Used Cooking Oil, Hazardous Waste
Why in the news
The environment ministry is preparing Extended Producer Responsibility rules for three new waste streams, extending a framework that already covers plastic and e-waste.
Key facts
- Ministry: MoEFCC. New EPR guidelines cover construction and demolition (C&D) waste, used cooking oil (UCO) and toxic and hazardous waste.
- Existing EPR rules: plastic and e-waste.
- CPCB will enforce penalties and frame compliance guidelines and standard operating procedures.
- Next steps: inter-ministerial expert committees, then finalisation and rollout.
Stream-wise proposals
| Waste stream | Main proposals |
|---|---|
| C&D waste | Recycled materials mandatory in buildings and roads; bulk generators must send waste to authorised facilities and obtain recycling certificates; compensation of 5% for first 2 years, 10% afterwards |
| Used cooking oil | Producers must buy UCO; certification system; use for SAF, animal feed, soap; demand to grow over 5-7 years |
| Toxic and hazardous waste | Industries hand waste to authorised recyclers; reuse in industrial products where feasible; incentives for industries using waste as input |
About EPR
- Extended Producer Responsibility makes producers answerable for a product’s whole lifecycle, including post-consumer waste.
- It moves the burden from local governments to producers, who get financial and/or physical responsibility.
- Aims: eco-friendly design, circular economy (reuse, buyback, recycling) and less waste to landfills.
SAF link
- India targets 1% SAF in international flights by 2027, rising to 2% by 2028.
- Proper UCO management is vital so that oil does not reach unsafe recycling channels.
Concerns
- Proper waste segregation and collection.
- Building a workable market for recycled and repurposed material.
- Preventing misuse of EPR certificates.
Exam angle
- Enforcing authority for penalties: CPCB.
- C&D penalty slabs: 5% then 10%.
- SAF targets: 1% (2027) and 2% (2028).