Overview of Plastic Waste Recycling License

Waste recycling especially plastic involve bringing waste with plastic components into a new form of material or even products. It is done instead of the so-called conventional methods for the removal of waste materials. reuse of any given material would simply create another stock of the same material – for example, recycled office paper would be a new office paper or recycled polystyrene foam would create a new polystyrene. However, this is often difficult or too expensive (compared with producing the same product from raw materials or other sources), so "recycling" of many products or materials involve their reuse by producing different product again

What is meant by Plastic Waste Recycling?

Recycling of plastics covers the collection of waste or scrap plastics and the processing of such waste or scrap for use as raw material. It is definitely valuable in tackling the drawback of plastic waste on the environment, conserving useful materials, and advancing a circular economy program. Besides addressing the problem of the increasing volume of plastic waste produced every year, this process also saves on produced plastics hence conserving on resources and energy.

Advantages of Plastic Waste Recycling

• Environmental Protection: Thus, licensing significantly reduces negative influences on the environment resulting from incorrect handling and recycling of plastic waste.
• Public Health and Safety: Recycling procedures eliminate dangers of polluting the environment and the health of the people as well.
• Operational Efficiency: Adherence to licensing requirements results in the implementation of good practices which enhances effectiveness and efficiency lowering costs.
• Sustainability: Such licensed recyclers play an important role in transitioning towards circular economy as they ensure the proper recovery and repurposing of plastic waste thereby decreasing the use of virgin material.

Steps involved in Plastic Waste Recycling

Before any plastic waste is recycled, it needs to go through five different stages so that it can be further used for making various types of products.

• Sorting: It is necessary that every item is separated according to its make and type so that it can be processed accordingly in the machine.
• Shredding: After sorting, the plastic waste is loaded into different conveyer belts that run the waste through the different shredders. These shredders tear up the plastic into small pellets, preparing them for recycling into other products.
• Grinding: Next step in the waste recycling process is grinding. Grinder is used to remove waste material from the small pellets plastic.
• Dust Cleaning: After grinding, the plastic waste is cleaned to remove the dust from the poly bags. This process is not required for hard plastic.
• Conveyer washing: In this process, the material is washed in clean water for few minutes.
• Drum Washing: Now the material is washed after conveyer washing. For this a round shape drum is used for washing the material in the plant.
• Dryer: In this process dryer/ Hydro is used to dry the material came from the washing drum.
• Agglomeration process: In this step mixing of the material is done for few minutes. For Hard plastic agglo-process machine is used (For example: Bucket, Mugs etc.) & for soft plastic normal machine is used (For example: Poly Bags etc.)
• Extruding/Recycling Machine: This involves melting the washed plastic so that it can be extruded into small pellets, which can be used as a raw material for different types of plastic products.

Eligibility for Plastic Waste Recycling License

As per Rule 13, no person is allowed to recycle or process plastic waste without obtaining registration from the concerned State Pollution Control Board or Pollution Control Committee. Existing plastic waste recycling units had to apply for registration within 6 months of the notification of the rules.

The application for registration (Form II) requires details about the recycling facility's capacity, technology used, waste management practices, compliance with environmental norms, and other operational aspects. The pollution control authorities scrutinize these details before granting registration, initially valid for one year and renewable for 3 years subsequently.

Conditions for Registration

Rule 13(5) mandates that registration shall not be issued or renewed unless the recycling unit has a valid consent under the Water and Air Acts. It also needs a certificate from the District Industries Centre or authorized government agency.

This ensures only units with proper environmental approvals and recognized by industrial authorities can undertake plastic waste recycling legally. Non-compliance can lead to suspension or cancellation of registration after a due hearing process.

Annual Reporting

Registered recycling facilities must submit annual reports (Form IV) to the local urban body providing information on the quantity of plastic waste received, recycled/processed, and inert waste sent to landfills. This enables monitoring and oversight of recycling operations.

What documents are required to acquire a Plastic Waste Recycling License

Here are the documents you need to acquire a plastic waste recycling license-

• The organization Registration or certificate for incorporation.
• Aadhar cards, PAN cards and GST certificates along with the details and supporting documents of the individual who will be signing them are all required.
• A consent issued by state pollution control board to establish a company under the Water Prevention and Control Pollution Act, 1981 and Air Prevention and Control Pollution Act 1981.
• A consent issued by state pollution control board to operate a company under the Water Prevention and Control Pollution Act, 1981 and Air Prevention and Control Pollution Act 1981.
• A compliance certificate from the state pollution control board for the treatment and disposal of hazardous waste.
• Subject to particular state’s requirements any other documents, refer to the states particular regulations and guidelines.

Process of acquiring Plastic Waste Recycling License

The company or individual looking to acquire the license should get it from the State pollution control board or Pollution control committee. The whole procedure will be governed by the laws framed under Plastic Waste Management Act, 2016.

• Any person/entity wanting to recycle or process plastic waste must apply for registration to the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) or Pollution Control Committee (PCC) in Form II as per Rule 13(3).
• The application in Form II should provide details like address of the recycling unit, manufacturing process, products and installed capacity, waste management practices, consent details under Water and Air Acts, occupational safety measures etc.
• The SPCB/PCC shall grant registration after satisfying that the applicant has adequate facilities, technical capabilities and equipment to handle plastic waste safely as per conditions laid down in the registration under Rule 13(7).
• The SPCB/PCC shall not issue registration unless the recycling unit has a valid consent under the Water and Air Acts along with registration from District Industries Centre (Rule 13(5)).
• The registration is initially valid for 1 year and then renewed for 3 years at a time (Rule 13(9)). Renewal application must be made 120 days before expiry (Rule 13(11)).
• The registered recycler has to submit an annual report to the local body in Form IV by 30th April every year (Rule 17(1)).

Validity of Plastic Waste Recycling License

The registration is initially valid for 1 year and then renewed for 3 years at a time (Rule 13(9)). Renewal application must be made 120 days before.

Compliances for Plastic Waste Recycling

Plastic waste recycling involves various mandatory compliances which are as follows-

• Recycling unit should have a valid consent under the Water and Air Acts.
• Details about the recycling facility's capacity, technology used, waste management practices, compliance with environmental norms, and other operational aspects.
• Registered recycling facilities must submit annual reports (Form IV) to the local urban body providing information on the quantity of plastic waste received, recycled/processed. Non-compliance can lead to suspension or cancellation of registration after a due hearing process.

How Whizseed can help?

Whizseed can help individuals and organizations comply with the requirements for obtaining a Plastic Waste Recycling License in the following ways:

• Document Preparation: We can provide guidance like documents required for the license application.
• Application Assistance: We can assist in filling out the application form accurately and completely.
• Regulatory Guidance: We can offer insights and interpretations of the relevant regulations and guidelines, such as the Plastic Waste Management Act, 2016,
• Consent and Compliance Support: We can help applicants obtain the necessary consents and compliance certificates.
• Regulatory Updates: As it will directly be linked to Whizseed, users can be updated on any changes done to the regulations, guidelines or the requirements that pertain to plastic waste recycling licenses to ensure compliance with the latest norms.

Addressing all these aspects requires professional assistance, and by implementing Whizseed’s knowledge and tools, people and companies can avoid getting into legal troubles or facing operations cessation.