What is Plastic- EPR Credit Certification & why is it necessary? 

A plastic- EPR credit model is envisaged where a producer is not required to recycle their own packaging, but to ensure that an equivalent amount of packaging waste has been recovered and recycled to meet their obligation. However, producers are mandated to acquire evidence of recycling or recovery [PLASTIC-EPR CREDIT] from properly accredited processors [recyclers, W2E plant operators, cement co-processors, users utilizing plastic in the road] or exporters.

Producers and processors/ exporters may exchange plastic credits for a financial transaction at a price and other terms as negotiated between them. The producers can exchange credits from processors that have been specifically accredited for this purpose. The accredited processors, therefore, receive additional funding for every tonne of packaging waste they reprocess and have an incentive to acquire further tonnage, thereby driving up recovery rates.

By introducing a digital ecosystem that makes the process of buying or selling these plastic credit certificates quick, secure & equitable, EcoEx, in hindsight, is enabling the efficient nation-wide implementation of the EPR Plastic.

Types of Trades for the Certification

According to Plastic Waste Management (PWM) 2016, plastic has been categorized into three significant kinds; Flexi, Rigid and MLP, where MLP stands for Multi-Layer Plastic. 

Multi-Layer Plastic: Multi-Layer Plastic (MLP) is kind of material that is  used for packaging and which carries at least one layer of plastic as the main component in combination with one or more layers of materials

Flexi – Flexible plastic types are LLDPD, LDPE, PP,PE, PS, etc.

Rigid plastic types include PET, HDPE etc.

Based on plastic, the trade of plastic credit certificates is also divided into two different parts; Recycling Plastic Credit Certificate & End of Life Plastic Credit Certificate. 

1. End of Life Certification (disposal certificate) : This is basically for MLPs. The importers or brand owners can issue the end-of-life plastic- EPR credit to the producers to meet the EPR obligations for the fixed quantity of the waste . On the basis of the agreed price & quantity of plastic traded during the auction, the certificate will carry plastic-EPR credits which can be used by the buyer to comply with their Extended Producers Responsibility (EPR) obligations. The waste is disposed of at Waste 2 Energy, Waste 2 Oil, road construction or cement plant.

2. Recyclable Plastic Credit Certificates: This strategy is followed for Non-MLPs & their subdivision where the recyclers issue the recycling plastic-EPR credit certificates to the producers, mediators, owners, etc. The transaction amount and the quantity of the waste have already been decided in the auction. 

Why is it necessary? 

• Plastic-EPR Credit Certificate is the end product of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) obligations. 
• This certificate ensures that the plastic waste is collected, transported & taken care of very well. If not, the plastic would remain in the environment itself, causing environmental destruction & health problems. 
• The certificate allows the buyer to examine whether the client is trustworthy or not. They are creating transparency between the buyer & seller.  
• One more hidden benefit is the financial help of the recyclers, which may belong to the lower strata of the hierarchy.