Plastic Waste Authorization


Plastic
June 12, 2024 ( PR Submission Site )

Plastic waste authorization is a certification that allows businesses to legally collect, store, transport, process, or recycle plastic waste in India. Plastic waste refers to any discarded plastic material that has no further use or value. Waste can pose serious threats to human health and the environment, as it can leach toxic chemicals, clog drains, choke animals, and pollute water bodies. Therefore, proper management and disposal of plastic waste is essential to prevent its adverse impacts.

In India, the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, as amended in 2018, are the main legal framework for regulating the plastic waste sector. These rules aim to promote the environmentally sound management of plastic waste, reduce its generation, and encourage its reuse, recycling, and recovery. The rules also assign responsibilities and obligations to various stakeholders, such as producers, consumers, local bodies, waste pickers, collection centers, and recyclers, to ensure the effective implementation of the plastic waste management system.

As per the rules, any entity involved in collecting, storing, transporting, processing, or recycling plastic waste must obtain authorization from the relevant State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) or Union Territory Pollution Control Committee (UTPCC). These bodies grant authorization based on compliance with standards and guidelines set by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).

Requirements for Authorization

The requirements for authorization vary depending on the type and capacity of the plastic waste activities undertaken by the entity. However, some of the common requirements are:

  • The entity must have a valid certificate of incorporation or registration.
  • The entity must have a proof of ownership or lease of the premises where the plastic waste activities are carried out.
  • The entity must have the necessary machinery and equipment for collection, storage, transport, processing, or recycling of plastic waste.
  • The entity must have an environmental management plan, including the measures for pollution control, waste disposal, health and safety, etc.
  • The entity must have a consent to establish and operate from the SPCB or UTPCC.
  • The entity must comply with the standards and guidelines issued by the CPCB and the MoEFCC for plastic waste management.
  • The entity must maintain records and registers of the plastic waste generated, processed, or recycled by it.
  • The entity must submit annual returns to the SPCB or UTPCC and the CPCB.

What are the Documents Required for Plastic Waste Authorization?

The documents required for plastic waste authorization vary from state to state and depend on the type and capacity of the plastic waste activities undertaken by the entity. However, some of the common documents are:

  • Certificate of incorporation or registration of the entity
  • Proof of ownership or lease of the premises where the plastic waste activities are carried out
  • Details of the machinery and equipment used for collection, storage, transport, processing, or recycling of plastic waste
  • An environmental management plan includes measures for pollution control, waste disposal, health and safety, etc.
  • Consent to establish and operate from the SPCB or UTPCC
  • Details and documents of the authorized person signing the papers, such as Aadhaar card, PAN card, and GST certificate
  • Details of the products, including model numbers and import history
  • Details of the recycler, if any, with whom the entity has a contract or agreement.

Summary

According to the rules, any entity that is engaged in the collection, storage, transport, processing, or recycling of plastic waste is required to obtain an authorization from the concerned State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) or Union Territory Pollution Control Committee (UTPCC). The authorization is granted based on the compliance with the standards and guidelines issued by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).


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