Plastic regime needs transparency
The estimated value of this plastic-recycling trade comes to a whopping ₹2,500 crore — enough to fund four Chandrayaan-3 missions. Considering that India annually produces 3.8 million tonnes of plastic waste, going by CPCB estimates, we have been successful in getting rid of at least four-five years of plastic waste generated. If this is the case, and it clearly is, based on official documents of June 2026, then why do we still see mountains of plastic waste in our cities, villages and riverways? Clearly, something is not quite right. EPR is an instrument used universally to manage waste. It puts the onus of collecting and recycling plastic on its manufacturers — producers, importers or brand owners (PIBOs). From 2023-24, in India, PIBOs are mandated to collect 100 per cent of the plastic waste they generate. As of last year, PIBOs had the target to recycle 40-60 per cent of this collected packaging material.
