Plastic Waste Management (Second Amendment) Rules 2025

Plastic Waste Management (Second Amendment) Rules 2025

Vincular
3 min read

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has released a draft notification under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, further strengthening the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework and encouraging the adoption of recycled plastic in packaging.

Key Highlights of the Draft Notification:

1. Mandatory Use of Recycled Content:

Producers, Importers, and Brand Owners (PIBOs) are now required to incorporate recycled plastic in packaging, with targets set category-wise:

  • Rigid Plastic (Category I): Up to 60% recycled content by 2028
  • Flexible Plastic: 20% by 2028
  • Multilayered Plastic: 10% by 2028

Note: Shortfalls in fulfilling targets for 2025–26 may be carried forward for up to three years.

2. Food Contact Packaging:

Use of recycled plastic in food-grade packaging must strictly comply with FSSAI regulations.

3. Guidelines for Importers:

  • Recycled content already present in imported material will not be counted toward the recycled content obligation.
  • Importers must fulfil their target by purchasing certificates from compliant PIBOs who exceed their obligations.

4. Reuse Obligation for Rigid Plastic:

Brand owners using rigid plastic packaging—especially for drinking water—must ensure a mandatory reuse percentage.

5. Exemptions:

On a case-by-case basis, the CPCB may grant exemptions from reuse obligations where statutory or technical challenges are valid.

Public Feedback Invited:

Stakeholders are encouraged to share comments or suggestions in writing by 2nd August 2025 at sohsmd-mef@gov.in

For more information, you can refer to the official notification issued by the ministry from here: Draft notification under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016

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