Overview of Plastic Waste Processor Certificate

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) through the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has recently issued a new notification which mandates the Plastic Waste Processors (PWP) to get themselves registered with the CPCB and get Plastic Waste Processor Certificate. This registration can be made through Centralized EPR Portal as a way of meeting the Extended Producer Responsibility. At present, the issuance of certificates for plastic waste processing is only issued by the plastic waste processors known under the Plastic Waste Management Rules of 2016. Thereby, these certificates will be considered specific by PIBO in the sense that they will be accepted to have been meeting the EPR obligations.

Benefits of Plastic Waste Processor Certificate

• Legal Authorization: The certificate guarantees your operations meet all the national and local standards concerning the management of plastic wastes. It legitimates your business’ operations by enabling the authorized and proper management of plastics waste.
• Sustainability Initiatives: The certificate is as a pledge that your business is willing to uphold environmentalism to express your organization’s willingness to uphold global sustainability standards. One can achieve this to promote and improve its image on the part of customers and stakeholders who are interested in the implementation of environmentally friendly policies.
• Brand Image: The Plastic Waste Processor Certificate can also be beneficial for the brand image as it will attract the customers and investors who appreciate the company’s work within the sphere of environmental protection.
• Subsidies and Grants: Governments and various organizations are aware of this and will provide subsidies and other forms of grants to certified waste processors so as to encourage recycling activities.
• Community Impact: Reducing plastic waste therefore makes your company to increase its corporate social responsibility because it helps to keep the social surrounding clean thus leading to better relationship with the community.

Meaning of Important terms

Plastic Waste Processors means recyclers and entities engaged in using plastic waste for energy (waste toenergy), and converting it to oil (waste to oil), industrial composting. Extended Producer Responsibility means the responsibility of a producer for the environmentally sound management of the product until the end of its life;

Responsibility of producers, Importers and Brand Owners

• The producers, within a period of six months from the date of publication of Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, shall work out modalities for waste collection system based on Extended Producers Responsibility and involving State Urban Development Departments, either individually or collectively, through their own distribution channel or through the local body concerned.
• Primary responsibility for collection of used multi-layered plastic sachet or pouches or packaging is of Producers, Importers and Brand Owners who introduce the products in the market. They need to establish a system for collecting back the plastic waste generated due to their products. This plan of collection to be submitted to the State Pollution Control Boards while applying for Consent to Establish or Operate or Renewal. The Brand Owners whose consent has been renewed before the notification of Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 shall submit such plan within one year from the date of notification of these rules and implement with two years thereafter.
• manufacture and use of non- recyclable multilayered plastic if any should be phased out in Two years time.
• The producer, within a period of three months from the date of final publication of Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 in the Official Gazette shall apply to the Pollution Control Board or the Pollution Control Committee, as the case may be, of the States or the Union Territories administration concerned, for grant of registration.
• No producer shall on and after the expiry of a period of Six Months from the date of final publication of Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 in the Official Gazette manufacture or use any plastic or multilayered packaging for packaging of commodities without registration from the concerned State Pollution Control Board or the Pollution Control Committees.
• Every producer shall maintain a record of details of the person engaged in supply of plastic used as raw material to manufacture carry bags or plastic sheet or like or cover made of plastic sheet or multilayered packaging.

Documents required for Plastic Waste Processor Certificate

Company Registration and Legal Documents:

• Certificate of Incorporation
• Memorandum of Association (MOA)
• A copy of the Company's CIN, PAN, and GST
• GST registration details
• Import Export Code (IEC)
• DGFT license

Authorization and Consent:

• Validity of Consents (CTE and CTO)
• A copy of the Authorized individual's Aadhar and PAN cards

Manufacturing Process and Capacity:

• A flowchart illustrating the manufacturing process for each product
• A flowchart depicting the manufacturing process
• Products and production capacity (MTA)
• Information on manufacturing capacity
• Registration necessary for the manufacturing of: (i) Carry bags (a) petrochemical-based (b) compostable (ii) Multi-layered plastics

Waste Management:

• Generation of waste during plastic processing
• Waste Management Strategies
• Details regarding waste disposal
• Waste collection and transportation procedures
• Waste disposal information
• Information on plastic waste intended for acquisition through sale, auction, or other means for use as raw material

Environmental and Safety Measures:

• Measures for Pollution Control
• Pollution Control Measures
• Aspects of occupational safety and health

Crucial Information & Procedure of getting Plastic Waste Processor Certificate

Certificate Issuance:

• Only plastic waste processors registered under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 can provide certificates for plastic waste processing, except for road construction.
• For plastic waste used in road construction, Producers, Importers & Brand-Owners can provide a self-declaration certificate.
• Certificates will be issued category-wise for plastic packaging and include GST data of the enterprise.
• Certificates will be issued to registered Producers, Importers & Brand-Owners or Local authorities, based on agreed arrangements.
• The amount of plastic packaging waste recycled cannot exceed the processor's installed capacity.

Central Pollution Control Board's Role:

• Will develop the format for certificates.
• Will develop a mechanism for issuing certificates on the centralized portal.
• Will create a format for self-declaration certificates for road construction use.

Extended Producer Responsibility:

• Certificates from registered processors will fulfill Extended Producer Responsibility obligations.

Verification and Reporting:

• Certificates are subject to verification by the Central or State Pollution Control Board or Pollution Control Committee.
• Processors must submit annual returns by April 30th on the quantity of plastic waste processed category-wise.

Registration Process:

• Applicants must submit Form II to apply for registration as a plastic waste processing/recycling unit.
• Initial registration is valid for 1 year; renewals are for 3 years.
• Renewal applications must be made at least 120 days before expiry.
• The authority must decide on granting registration within 90 days of receiving a complete application.

Registration Requirements:

• Units must have valid consent under the Water Act and Air Act.
• Units should have appropriate facilities and capabilities to handle plastic waste safely.

Authority and Cancellation:

• State Pollution Control Board or Pollution Control Committee grants registration.
• Registration cannot be revoked/suspended/cancelled without giving the processor an opportunity for a hearing.

Annual Reporting:

• Registered processors must submit an annual report in Form IV to the local body by April 30th each year.

Fulfillment of Extended Producer Responsibility Obligations

The Producers, Importers & Brand-Owners shall have to provide the details of recycling certificate only from registered recyclers along with the details of quantity sent for end of life disposal, by 30th June of next financial year while filing annual returns on the online portal. The details provided by Producers, Importers & Brand-Owners and registered plastic waste processors will be cross-checked by the online portal. In case of difference, the lower figure would be considered towards fulfillment of Extended Producer Responsibility obligation of Producers, Importers & Brand-Owners. The certificates shall be subject to verification by Central Pollution Control Board or State Pollution Control Board or Pollution Control Committee, as the case may be.

Centralized Online Portal

• CPCB to establish an online system by March 31, 2022, for registration and annual returns filing by producers, importers, brand-owners, and plastic waste processors.
• The online system will track plastic packaging introduced in the market and audit details of involved parties.
• State PCBs and PCCs to use CPCB's centralized portal for registration and as a single data repository for EPR implementation guidelines.
• Producers, importers, and brand-owners may assist in developing the online platform.
• Until the online portal is ready, all EPR activities under Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, will be conducted offline.

How Whizseed can help you?

• Document management: We could provide a centralized system for collecting and organizing all the required documents, such as company registration, legal documents, authorization consents, and manufacturing process details.
• Application assistance: The platform could guide users through the application process, ensuring all necessary information is included in Form II for registration as a plastic waste processing/recycling unit.
• Real-Time Collaboration: Enables instant teamwork with stakeholders, keeping everyone updated on certification process and regulations.
• Compliance Made Simple: Ensures adherence to plastic waste management standards, streamlining annual returns submission for CPCB compliance.