1. Sikkim’s Pollution Control Board issues a final notice to industries and MSMEs for Plastic Waste Management compliance.
2. Mandated under the Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016, industries must register under the EPR regime.
3. Despite prior notices, many entities have yet to comply with the regulations.
Gangtok, May 19: The State Pollution Control Board of Sikkim, under the Forest & Environment Department, Government of Sikkim, has issued a final notice to all industries and MSME units operating in the state regarding compliance with the Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules.
The Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016 mandate industries involved in plastic production, use, or waste generation to register under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regime. Despite previous notices, many entities have failed to comply.
To enforce compliance, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Government of India, issued a binding directive on March 18, 2024.
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This directive, under Section 5 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986, requires Producers, Importers, brand owners, and Plastic Waste Processors to register on the Centralized Extended Producer Responsibility portal for Plastic packaging by March 31, 2024. Non-compliance will lead to legal action.
The State Pollution Control Board of Sikkim emphasizes the urgency for compliance with the directive, urging industries to register promptly to avoid legal consequences.