Generation of E-waste & plastic waste

On: 27 JUL 2023 – The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) estimates the e-waste generation at national level based on the countrywide sales data provided by producers and average life of notified electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), as mandated under the E-waste Management Rules, 2016. As per the information available with CPCB, e-waste generated in the country from twenty-one (21) types of EEE notified under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016 since Financial Year (FY) 2017-18 is given below:

The import and export of hazardous and other wastes is regulated under the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016 notified by the Ministry. E-waste has been listed under Basel No. A1180 in the schedule VI of the said rules and prohibited for import.

Ministry has comprehensively revised the previous set of Rules and notified the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 in November, 2022 and the same is enforce since 1^st April, 2023. These new rules intend to manage e-waste in an environmentally sound manner and put in place an improved Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regime for e-waste recycling wherein all the manufacturer, producer, refurbisher and recycler are required to register on portal developed by CPCB. The new provisions would facilitate and channelize the informal sector to formal sector for doing business and ensure recycling of E-waste in environmentally sound manner. Provisions for environmental compensation and verification & audit have also been introduced. These rules also promote Circular Economy through EPR regime and scientific recycling/disposal of the e-waste.

Unmanaged and littered plastic waste including plastic packaging waste has adverse impacts on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, provides the statutory framework for plastic waste management in an environmentally sound manner throughout the country. Considering the adverse effect of littered single use plastic items on terrestrial, aquatic and marine ecosystems, the Ministry notified the Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021, on 12th August 2021, prohibiting identified single use plastic items, which have low utility and high littering potential, from 1st July 2022. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has also notified the Guidelines on the Extended Producer Responsibility for plastic packaging vide Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2022, on 16th February, 2022.

As per Annual report of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on the implementation of Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, the plastic waste generated in the country during the last five years are given below:

The plastic waste generated state-wise and year-wise as per Central Pollution Control Board Annual reports have been provided in Annexure I.

The total Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) of registered producers, importers and brand owners for plastic packaging is around 3 million tonnes for the year 2022 – 23, under EPR Guidelines.  The EPR certificates generated by registered plastic waste processors after processing of plastic packaging waste including recycling is 2.5 million tonnes.

Annexure I

Year wise data for Plastic Waste Generation as per CPCB Annual Reports*

(* consolidated based upon information provided by State Pollution Control Board / Pollution Control Committee)

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