GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2679
TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.03.2025
Mandatory usage of PET Packaging Bottles
2679: SHRI HIBI EDEN:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to\ state:

(a) whether the Government is planning to implement its deadline of 1st April 2025 relating to the mandatory usage of 30% recycled plastic content into Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) packaging bottles by beverage manufacturers;
(b) if so, the reasons therefor, including reasons for formulating such a policy;
(c) whether the adverse impact on beverage manufacturers, export of PET resin, food safety has been taken into account while taking the above policy decision, if so, the details thereof;
(d) Whether the likely increase in costs as a result of this policy would eventually harm the consumers as such additional costs may reflect on the pricing of products of manufacturers;
(e) whether the Government has assessed if there are adequate Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) certified recycling facilities in the country for purposes of implementing such a policy; and
(f) whether any fiscal incentives have been provided for establishing recycling plants or tie-ups with recycling plants in relation to this policy, if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a) to (f): The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change had notified the Guidelines for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) on Plastic Packaging on 16th February 2022. The Guidelines inter alia mandate targets on recycling of plastic packaging waste, reuse of rigid plastic packaging and use of recycled plastic content. The guidelines provide for moving towards sustainable plastic packaging and reducing the plastic foot print. The mandatory targets on use of recycled plastic content were made applicable from the financial year 2025 – 26, three years after the notification of the EPR Guidelines, in order to provide adequate time to the industry to prepare for the targets.
The Guidelines on Extended Producer Responsibility for plastic packaging were notified after following due process of stakeholder consultation. Already, the EPR Guidelines provide mechanism to deal with cases where it is not possible to meet the obligation in respect of recycled plastic content on account of statutory requirements. The exemption in such cases will be granted by Central Pollution Control Board on case-to-case basis. In case any difficulty in implementation of the policy is flagged by the industry/stakeholders, the same is duly considered by the Ministry and necessary action is taken, as deemed appropriate.
Environmentally sound management of plastic packaging waste through implementation of EPR by producers, importers and brand owners, who introduce the plastic packaging in the market will lead reduction in pollution caused by littered and unmanaged plastic packaging waste. The implementation of the EPR Guidelines on plastic packaging will also lead to the further development of waste processing infrastructure including recycling units. As per information available on the centralized EPR portal for plastic packaging, 2716 plastic waste processors are registered on the portal. Around, 114 lakh tonnes of plastic packaging waste has been processed since 2022.