Plastic Waste and the Law: Strengthening EPR to Combat India’s Growing Crisis
Lead author · Corresponding
Vihaan Sriram
Student at Shree Bharath Vidyaashram, TamilNadu, India
Abstract
India faces an escalating plastic waste crisis, driven by rapid urbanization, increased consumerism, and inadequate waste management infrastructure. Despite regulatory efforts such as the Plastic Waste Management Rules (2016) and subsequent amendments, the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) remains insufficient in tackling the mounting environmental challenges posed by plastic pollution. This paper examines the legal and policy landscape surrounding plastic waste management in India, focusing on EPR as a regulatory tool to hold producers accountable for the post-consumer lifecycle of plastic products.
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