Rekart

Plastics a commonly known name are a wide range of semi-synthetic and synthetic materials wherein polymers are the main ingredients. The chemical structure of plastic renders it resistant to natural processes of degradation/decomposition hence, they are slow to degrade/decompose. There are no organisms currently capable of decomposing plastic, so do not decompose as do other plants and animal wastes. Due to the constant large-scale production cycle, accumulation, and low decomposition rate, plastic waste has imposed the biggest environmental challenge for Earth’s ecosystem and biodiversity.  Since the year 2019, an estimated 368 million tonnes of plastic had been produced each year with Asia holding the majority of the production percentage at 51% against the rest of the world. This exponential increase in plastic production has forced the countries to enter into several treaties like ‘Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer (Montreal Protocol), ‘United Nations Framewor

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is the responsibility of every producer, importer, and brand owner. This is in order to channelize waste to an authorized dismantler/recycler to ensure proper handling and disposal of such waste.  Extended Producer Responsibility may comprise of implementation of the take-back system, setting up of collection centers, or both of these. Along with having agreed arrangements with authorized dismantlers or recyclers either individually or collectively through a Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) .  Difficulty in understanding guidelines : The first guidelines related to EPR in India came in as early as 2016  but still until 2020 most companies were not able to fulfill their ERP targets due to lack of understanding and the complete responsibility of successful ERP had been shifted on the shoulders of industry. Many industries that did fall under the compliance category didn't recognize it at all for example the Pharmaceutical Industry.