Report by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in the matter of Avani Mishra Vs Union of India & Others dated 11/06/2020 on the unchecked use of plastic pens having adverse impact on the environment. It has been observed that 1600 to 2400 million pieces are brought to the market every year and 91% of plastic waste so generated was not recycled and the Extended Producers Responsibility (EPR) was not being fully enforced.

The CPCB has issued registration to 92 brand owner and 4 producers having EPR target of approximately 4.5 lakhs tons per annum. The items covered under EPR in PWM Rules, 2018 are multi-layered plastic sachet or pouches or packaging, thus, items such as plastic pens and other plastic products have not been covered under EPR. The National Framework for EPR under PWM Rules, 2018 was under consideration at Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). The CPCB had communicated to the ministry to clearly enumerate the items to be covered under EPR, according to the report.

Note: Report uploaded to the NGT site on June 25, 2020