Overview of EPR Certification for Waste Tyres
The Central Pollution Control Board or CPCB in India introduced the concept of Extended Producer Responsibility EPR as a result of growing environmental pollution concerns and the need for efficient waste management. EPR, as a concept, holds specific persons accountable for the safe production, import, recycling, and disposal. Further, it also aims to address the problems associated with tyre waste and develop sustainable practices in the case of worn tyres. Read further to find out more about EPR registration for waste tyres, applicability, documents and the process required for registration, and post-compliances to be followed for EPR registration for waste tyres in India.
Definition of EPR for Waste Tyres
Under the Hazardous & Other Waste (Management) Amendment Rules 2022, any
person and business entity engaged in the
manufacturing, distribution, sales, reuse and recycling, and import of waste
tyres shall be responsible for waste tyres
for environmentally safe management and related compliances.
As a result, EPR requires accountability for promising ecologically
responsible management of end-of-life tyres in order
to preserve human health and the environment from the detrimental effects of
Climate Change. The provisions for
manufacturers, recyclers, and retreaters are listed in Schedule IX. EPR
assists entities with registration on the
consolidated CPCB portal and with their post-compliance responsibilities.
Obligations for Producers under EPR Tyres
According to the definition of EPR Waste Tyre Management Rules, 2022 Rules, producers, which includes manufacturers as well as importers and brand owners PIBOs are engaged in the:
- Imports waste tyres.
- Sells imported fresh tyres.
- Imports autos with brand-new tyres on them.
- Production and sale of new tyres domestically.
- Sells new tyres made by other suppliers or manufacturers domestically under its own brand.
- New tyres are imported by automakers for use on newly released cars that are sold domestically.
Following the amended rules, in 2022, the obligations of producers, recyclers, and retreaters in connection with EPR for Waste Tyres were specified. Producers have been charged with recycling waste tires equal to the volume of new tyres produced or imported the previous year.
Obligations of Recyclers in EPR Tyre
As described in paragraph 1(f) of the 2022 Rules, ''recycling'' is the environmentally sound conversion of waste tyres into end products with facilities as elaborated in the SOP as stipulated by the CPCB:
- Crumb Rubber
- Reclaimed Rubber
- Crumb Rubber Modified Bitumen
- Carbon black recovered and
- Char or Pyrolysis Oil
In accordance with the terms of Schedule IX, paragraph 7, those mentioned businesses must meet their EPR obligations by purchasing EPR credits online or retreading credits from authorised recyclers and traders of waste tyres. Following are the fixed EPR requirements for manufacturers of new tyres:
| Year | Targets for Recycling in kg/tons |
|---|---|
| 2022-23 | 35% of the total amount of newly produced or imported tyres during 2020–2021 |
| 2023-24 | 70 per cent of the total number of new tyres produced or imported in 2021–2022. |
| 2024-25 | 100% of the total amount of newly produced or imported goods in the previous year. |
Requirement for a Waste Tyre Management Plan
The Waste Tyre Handling Plan, which outlines methods for the ethical handling of waste tyres, is an essential component of EPR registration. The following significant components make up the plan:
- 1. Collecting and Preservation: The plan details procedures for gathering and securely storing used tyres from customers, merchants, and other sources.
- 2. Transportation and Recycling: Producers must transport collected waste tyres to authorized recycling plants or treatment centres. Recycling strives to remove valuable materials and reduce their negative environmental effects.
- 3. Reuse or Disposal: The plan specifies how waste tyres should be disposed of by waste management regulations in an environmentally sustainable manner. It might also look into possibilities for recycling or upcycling specific discarded tyre components.
- 4. Audit and Reporting: The regulatory authorities must receive periodic reports from EPR-registered producers who are required to keep thorough records of their waste tyre management efforts. To ensure adherence to the Waste Tyre Management Plan, routine audits may also be carried out.
Eligibility Criteria for EPR Waste Tyre
Producers and importers involved in the production or importation of tyres in India are required to register with EPR for waste tyres. For these individuals, the CPCB may establish a minimal level of imported or manufactured tyres that necessitates EPR registration. The CPCB rules and processes for managing discarded tyres must be adhered to by qualified producers.
Benefits of EPR for Tyres Waste
The benefits of EPR registration for waste tyres are much more than just a legal authorization to handle waste tyres. Some of the key benefits of the EPR Authorization include:
- it also offers financial benefits to business entities.
- By reducing the costs of production and encouraging recycling.
- Reduces tyre wastage pollution and helps to create a sustainable environment.
- Eliminates the need for other garbage disposal techniques like burning or burial.
- Assures that items and the parts that make them are recycled and refurbished properly.
- Reduces the financial and physical load of waste management on regional governments.