India's Amendment to Add Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Waste Tyres

India's Amendment to Add Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Waste Tyres

India has been grappling with the challenge of waste management for years. The country generates an enormous amount of waste every day, and much of it remains unmanaged, leading to severe environmental and health hazards. One of the significant contributors to this waste problem is waste tyres. To address this issue, India has recently amended its rules to add Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for waste tyres.

EPR is a concept that makes manufacturers responsible for the entire life cycle of their products, including disposal. Under this policy, manufacturers must take responsibility for collecting, treating, and disposing of the waste generated from their products. The amendment to the rules means that tyre manufacturers in India will have to ensure the proper disposal of waste tyres.

The amendment has come at a time when the country is facing a severe tyre waste crisis. India generates more than 6 million tonnes of waste tyres annually, and much of it ends up in landfills or illegal dumping sites. Waste tyres not only occupy valuable land space but also pose a significant threat to the environment and public health. They can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes and other disease-carrying organisms, catch fire, and release toxic fumes into the air.

To address this issue, the amended rules require tyre manufacturers to establish a collection mechanism for waste tyres. They will also have to tie-up with recyclers or waste-to-energy plants to ensure the proper disposal of the collected waste. The rules also mandate that manufacturers ensure that their products are environmentally friendly, and they use recycled material wherever possible.

The introduction of EPR for waste tyres is a positive step towards addressing India's waste management crisis. It will not only help in the proper disposal of waste tyres but also encourage manufacturers to produce environmentally friendly products. However, the success of this policy depends on the effective implementation and enforcement of the rules. The government and manufacturers must work together to ensure that the policy is implemented correctly, and the objectives are achieved.

In conclusion, the amendment to add EPR for waste tyres in India is a positive development that has the potential to significantly reduce the environmental and health hazards caused by waste tyres. The policy will encourage tyre manufacturers to take responsibility for their products' entire lifecycle, from production to disposal. The government must ensure that the policy is implemented effectively, and manufacturers must cooperate in achieving the objectives of the policy.