Latest news with #ExtendedProducer
Hi Dubai
04-07-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
MOCCAE and Tadweer Group Launch Pilot Project to Advance Waste Accountability in UAE
The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) has partnered with Tadweer Group to launch a pilot project aimed at managing waste from specific product categories under the UAE's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) initiative, a key component of the nation's Integrated Waste Management Agenda 2023–2026. Signed during an event in Dubai, the agreement marks a step forward in the UAE's push toward a circular economy. The pilot project will target waste from electrical and electronic equipment, batteries, and packaging, and will be implemented in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Tadweer Group will act as the Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) for the project. The EPR model shifts waste management accountability to manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors, encouraging more responsible production and disposal practices. By involving producers directly, the initiative supports international best practices and long-term environmental protection. Minister of Climate Change and Environment Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak stressed the importance of partnerships in delivering sustainable environmental outcomes. She highlighted the project's role in helping achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals and securing a pollution-free environment for future generations. Tadweer Group CEO Eng. Ali Al Dhaheri said the pilot sets the groundwork for a more efficient and accountable waste management system, with learnings from the trial to guide future policy development. The MoU outlines efforts to assess regulatory frameworks, engage the private sector, and document challenges and successes from the pilot. It also includes a public awareness component to drive participation. Twenty-six companies across key sectors signed the EPR Pledge at the event, signaling broad private sector commitment to sustainable waste management in the UAE. News Source: Emirates News Agency
Business Wire
26-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
ProAmpac Partners with Western Michigan University to Advance Fiber Packaging Innovation
CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ProAmpac, a global leader in flexible packaging and material science, has partnered with Western Michigan University (WMU), a top North American institution in fiber technologies and recycling, to advance the development of fiber-based sustainable packaging solutions. The partnership will bolster ProAmpac's 'Fiberization of Packaging®' strategy, which aims to deliver curbside recyclable and compostable alternatives to traditional packaging. 'The partnership with Western Michigan University supports ProAmpac's material science team on developing innovative fiber-based technologies,' said Hesam Tabatabaei, senior vice president of global product development and innovation at ProAmpac. 'WMU's expertise in fiber manufacturing and broad range of capabilities will help accelerate our ability to deliver fiber-based packaging that meets growing market demand for curbside recyclable and compostable solutions. It also enables us to proactively address Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations with scalable, science-based innovation.' As a leader in packaging sustainability, ProAmpac is integrating this new university collaboration into its growing global network of academic partners focused on material and food science. These alliances enhance the company's research capabilities and directly support ProAmpac's ProActive Sustainability® and ProActive Intelligence® platforms, which foster innovation across all product categories and reinforce its commitment to a circular economy. 'We're excited to partner with ProAmpac to advance fiber-based packaging innovation,' said Dr. Kecheng Li, chair, TAPPI fellow, of WMU. 'By combining our fiber expertise and barrier coating with ProAmpac's material science leadership and global commercial scale, we can accelerate the development of more sustainable and recyclable packaging solutions.' For more information about ProAmpac's sustainable solutions, please contact Marketing@ or visit About ProAmpac ProAmpac is a leading global flexible packaging company with a comprehensive product offering. We provide creative packaging solutions, industry-leading customer service and award-winning innovation to a diverse global marketplace. ProAmpac's approach to sustainability – ProActive Sustainability -- provides innovative sustainable flexible packaging products to help our customers achieve their sustainability goals. We are guided in our work by five core values that are the basis for our success: Integrity, Intensity, Innovation, Involvement, and Impact. Cincinnati-based ProAmpac is owned by Pritzker Private Capital along with management and co-investors. For more information, visit or contact Media@ About Pritzker Private Capital Pritzker Private Capital partners with middle-market companies based in North America with leading positions in the manufactured products and services sectors. The firm's differentiated, long-duration capital base allows for efficient decision-making, broad flexibility with transaction structure and investment horizon, and alignment with all stakeholders. Pritzker Private Capital builds businesses for the long term and is an ideal partner for entrepreneur- and family-owned companies. Pritzker Private Capital is a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). For more information, visit
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India drafts solar waste rules as capacity crosses 100 GW, eyes 6 lakh tonne disposal by 2040
New Delhi: India is projected to generate over 34,600 tonnes of solar photovoltaic (PV) waste by 2030, according to draft guidelines released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), which has proposed a detailed framework for handling end-of-life solar modules, panels, and cells. The draft guidelines titled 'Safe Handling and Disposal of Solar Photovoltaic Modules, Panels, and Cells', released on May 30, 2025, outline roles and responsibilities of manufacturers, bulk consumers, dismantlers, and recyclers under the existing E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022. According to the CPCB, India had installed over 73 GW of solar capacity as of March 2023, and the country's cumulative PV waste generation is expected to increase significantly from approximately 100 tonnes in 2020 to 600,000 tonnes by 2040. The waste volume is estimated to reach 34,600 tonnes by 2030. The guidelines state, 'Solar PV waste consists of various materials such as glass, aluminum, silicon, plastics and heavy metals like lead, cadmium and antimony. Improper handling or disposal can pose serious risks to human health and the environment.' Under the proposed rules, producers and bulk consumers must ensure end-of-life management of solar equipment. They are required to channel waste only through registered dismantlers and recyclers. The CPCB has emphasized that Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) will apply to producers involved in manufacturing, importing, or selling solar PV modules or panels in India. 'Producers shall register on the CPCB's EPR portal and provide yearly returns on the quantity of solar PV modules placed in the market and quantity of waste collected and recycled,' the draft notes. The draft guidelines also include provisions for setting up collection centers or take-back systems by producers to facilitate the return of used modules. Bulk consumers, including government institutions and large industrial users, will also be required to store PV waste in a safe manner and hand over the waste only to authorized dismantlers. For dismantlers and recyclers, the guidelines propose technical standards for dismantling operations, storage infrastructure, leachate control, and record-keeping. Recycling units must obtain consent to operate under the Water and Air Acts and must maintain an online record of the quantity and type of PV waste processed. The CPCB has called for public comments on the draft by June 29, 2025. It said that after finalisation, the document will serve as an advisory framework to be adopted by various stakeholders for effective end-of-life management of solar PV systems. India's solar waste volume is projected to grow due to the rapid acceleration in solar installations under the National Solar Mission and increasing uptake of rooftop solar in the residential and commercial sectors. However, in the absence of a dedicated PV waste management regulation, most of the decommissioned panels are either stored or discarded without scientific processing. In a statement, the CPCB noted, 'The guidelines are intended to minimise environmental and health hazards by ensuring the environmentally sound management of end-of-life solar PV equipment in India.' The draft also suggests capacity-building initiatives and the development of recycling infrastructure across states. It encourages research institutions and startups to develop technologies for recovering valuable materials like silver, copper, and rare metals from end-of-life modules. The guidelines mention that solar modules generally have a lifespan of 25 years, but early failures and damage due to transport, natural disasters, or manufacturing defects can lead to premature disposal. In such cases, improper handling without formal processing systems can lead to pollution from heavy metals and toxic chemicals leaching into soil and water bodies. With the cumulative installed solar capacity projected to exceed 292 GW by 2030 under India's renewable energy targets, the CPCB has underscored the urgency of implementing standardised waste management practices.>
India Today
05-06-2025
- Business
- India Today
From trash to treasure: The rise of doorstep e-waste recycling
India's digital boom has come with a dark side: mountains of discarded electronics. Unsafe recycling practices and a booming appliance market have turned e-waste into one of the country's fastest-growing environmental Today spoke with Rohan Gupta, Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Attero, to explore how doorstep e-waste collection is transforming how urban India disposes of its old devices, with accountability, convenience, and long-term impact in SCALE OF THE PROBLEMIn 2023–24, India generated nearly 3.8 million metric tonnes (MMT) of e-waste—a 100% increase in just ten years. A majority of it is processed informally through hazardous methods like acid leaching and open-air burning, exposing workers to toxins and polluting air and soil.A MODEL BUILT FOR URBAN REALITY Doorstep collection is gaining popularity for its simplicity. Individuals and businesses can now schedule pickups at their convenience, ensuring their devices are routed to certified recyclers.'People are more likely to recycle when it's easy,' says Gupta. 'Our goal is to make recycling as seamless as a food delivery.'According to Redseer Strategy Consultants, India's e-waste holds $6 billion in recoverable value, including critical materials like cobalt, lithium, and rare earth elements. Stronger formal networks could also cut metal import bills by $1.7 billion E-WASTE COMES FROMadvertisementHouseholds are responsible for about 70% of India's annual e-waste. Appliance breakdown by weight includes:Refrigerators: 675,000 tonnesWashing machines: 630,000 tonnesAir conditioners: 115,000 tonnesTVs, laptops, and smartphones: 81,000 tonnesLarge appliances and temperature exchange devices alone contribute 2.5 MMT PUSH PRODUCERS TO ACTUnder the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, producers must recycle 60% of their products in FY24, increasing to 80% by is part of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system, which mandates producers to tie up with certified recyclers and obtain compliance certificates through a central portal. Doorstep collection supports this system by improving traceability and volume FROM GLOBAL MODELSCities worldwide are adopting similar ideas: Stockholm runs mobile collection vans, San Francisco includes e-waste in municipal pickups, and Singapore's ALBA Group offers digital rewards for used by these models, Attero's Selsmart initiative is building a nationwide collection infrastructure with local partners and goes beyond pickups. The system emphasizes data security, transparent logistics, and environmental safety. Every collected item is traceable—from doorstep to dismantling.'This isn't about just collecting more,' Gupta says. 'It's about building trust across the chain—from consumers to manufacturers.'A CIRCULAR ECONOMY WAITING TO BE BUILTOnly 30% of India's e-waste is formally recycled. The rest goes untracked, wasting 80,000 crore worth of recoverable metals and potential tax revenue collection helps plug that leak, bringing efficiency, safety, and circularity to the system while supporting green jobs and domestic supply device use accelerates, India needs scalable solutions now, not later. Doorstep collection is not just about waste—it's about the future of how cities operate.'People want to do the right thing,' Gupta says. 'We just need to make doing the right thing the easier choice.'
Hindustan Times
05-06-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
No more excuses: Experts urge enforcement to tackle Gurugram waste
In Gurugram, the waste is everywhere, but solutions remain scattered — garbage burns in backyards, landfills spill over, and plastic clogs the streets. The problem isn't just a pile-up anymore; it's a slow burn on the city's edges. On Day Two of Urban Adda, sectoral experts didn't mince words: the city's waste crisis is no longer about awareness. It's about action, enforcement, and political will. The session, co-hosted by Gurgaon First and the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), brought together city planners, environmentalists, urban practitioners, and corporate leaders to reimagine how cities manage waste. The ongoing Urban Adda series is organised by the Raahgiri Foundation, with HT as media partner. Delivering the keynote, Shyamala Mani, senior advisor for WASH and waste management at the Centre for Chronic Disease Control (CCDC), said India already has progressive frameworks — the Solid Waste Management Rules (2016) and Extended Producer Responsibility guidelines for plastic — but poor enforcement has stalled impact. 'Cities like Gurugram must lead in implementing what already exists,' she said. Mani stressed the urgent need for municipalities to activate regulatory provisions, empower their enforcement units, and create real-time tracking systems to monitor waste flows. 'The tools are already out there — decentralised composting, waste-to-energy integration, digitised collection. What's missing is trained manpower, committed budgets, and political backing,' she said. Gurugram, despite being one of India's leading economic hubs, has repeatedly drawn criticism for its inadequate solid waste infrastructure. With two choked landfill sites, unregulated dumping in vacant plots, rampant burning of mixed waste, and irregular door-to-door collection, the city's waste problem has become symbolic of its broader urban mismanagement. 'This is no longer just a sanitation issue — it's a crisis of health, planning, and environmental justice,' said Shubhra Puri, founding director of Gurgaon First and moderator of the panel. 'Gurugram's failure to adopt decentralised, community-driven solutions is glaring. We need a complete rethink — built not just on infrastructure, but on behaviour change and design.' Bidisha Chattopadhyay, faculty at SPA and expert in urban infrastructure, pointed to systemic gaps in city planning. 'Our master plans don't account for waste. There's no space allocated for compost pits, dry waste centres, or e-waste drop-off points,' she said. 'Unless we redesign cities for waste resilience, we'll continue to rely on outdated centralised systems that collapse under pressure.' Adding a ground-level perspective, Bhairavi Joshi, director of BYCS India and founder of Trrayaam, shared success stories of zero-waste neighbourhoods, community composting units, and informal recycling groups. 'The pieces are in place — but the government needs to scale and support them. If MCG partners with these efforts and integrates them into formal systems, replication becomes possible,' she said. Sanjar Ali from WRI India flagged the air quality impact. 'Our studies show landfill fires and open burning significantly worsen PM2.5 and black carbon levels. Waste management is a health emergency, not just a civic one.' Offering the private sector view, Rajneesh Kumar, vice-president of Sustainability and ESG at MakeMyTrip, said national policies were well framed but patchy in implementation — especially in Tier 2 and 3 cities. 'Private players must support local bodies — through sustainable packaging, reducing single-use plastics, and funding green waste zones,' he said. MakeMyTrip, he added, is exploring eco-hospitality solutions in cities like Gurugram. The panel concluded with a call to shift from a waste disposal mindset to a circular economy approach — minimising waste generation, maximising resource recovery, and redesigning urban systems for long-term resilience. The path forward, they agreed, must rest on four pillars: policy coherence, community participation, decentralised infrastructure, and corporate collaboration.
