Daily Current Affairs : 18-September-2024

In 2022, the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) introduced the Battery Waste Management (BWM) Rules, aiming to address the growing environmental concerns related to battery waste in India. The rules focus on regulating the collection, handling, and recycling of batteries. One of the key elements of these rules is Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which makes battery producers accountable for the entire lifecycle of their products, including waste disposal after consumers use them.

Importance of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

EPR shifts the responsibility of waste management from consumers to producers. Under these rules, battery manufacturers are required to:

  • Collect and recycle batteries: Producers must ensure that their products are properly collected and recycled after they are used, to prevent environmental harm.
  • Meet recycling targets: Producers are given specific recycling targets they must meet to reduce the amount of battery waste that ends up in landfills.

New Environmental Compensation (EC) Guidelines

To enforce compliance with the BWM Rules, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has introduced new Environmental Compensation (EC) Guidelines. These guidelines impose penalties on producers who fail to meet their recycling targets under the EPR rules.

  • Penalties based on battery type: The fines vary depending on the type of battery. For example, producers of lithium batteries will face a penalty of Rs 2,400 per kg if they fail to meet recycling targets.
  • Incentive for compliance: The purpose of these guidelines is not only to penalize non-compliance but also to encourage producers to take responsibility for their products and contribute to environmental protection.

Important Points:

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Producers are made responsible for the entire lifecycle of batteries, including post-consumer waste disposal.

Key Responsibilities for Producers:

  • Collection and Recycling: Producers must collect and recycle batteries after use to prevent environmental harm.
  • Recycling Targets: Producers are required to meet specific recycling targets to reduce battery waste in landfills.

Environmental Compensation (EC) Guidelines:

  • Issued by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), these guidelines impose penalties on manufacturers who fail to meet their recycling targets.
  • Penalties are differentiated based on the type of battery (e.g., Rs 2,400 per kg for lithium batteries).

Penalties and Incentives:

  • The guidelines not only penalize non-compliance but also encourage producers to take responsibility for recycling and contribute to environmental protection.

Importance of the New Rules: These rules help hold producers accountable, encourage responsible waste management, and promote sustainability in the battery industry.

Why In News

The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has introduced strict environmental compensation (EC) guidelines to enforce compliance with the Battery Waste Management (BWM) Rules, 2022, aiming to ensure that battery producers take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their products and contribute to reducing environmental harm.

MCQs about Battery Waste Management

  1. What is the primary purpose of the Battery Waste Management (BWM) Rules, 2022?
    A. To regulate the price of batteries
    B. To ensure the proper collection, handling, and recycling of battery waste
    C. To promote the use of non-rechargeable batteries
    D. To limit the use of lithium batteries
    Correct Answer: B. To ensure the proper collection, handling, and recycling of battery waste
    Explanation: The BWM Rules, 2022 aim to regulate the collection, handling, and recycling of battery waste to address environmental concerns. It focuses on sustainable management of battery waste.
  2. What does Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) require from battery producers under the BWM Rules?
    A. Producers must pay for the production of new batteries
    B. Producers are responsible for the entire lifecycle of their products, including waste disposal
    C. Producers must only recycle the batteries they produce
    D. Producers must stop selling non-rechargeable batteries
    Correct Answer: B. Producers are responsible for the entire lifecycle of their products, including waste disposal
    Explanation: Under EPR, producers are made responsible not just for manufacturing but also for managing the waste generated after the consumer uses the product, including recycling and disposal.
  3. According to the Environmental Compensation (EC) Guidelines, what is the penalty for battery producers who fail to meet their recycling targets for lithium batteries?
    A. Rs 500 per kg
    B. Rs 1,000 per kg
    C. Rs 2,400 per kg
    D. Rs 5,000 per kg
    Correct Answer: C. Rs 2,400 per kg
    Explanation: The EC Guidelines impose a penalty of Rs 2,400 per kg for producers of lithium batteries who fail to meet the recycling targets set under the Battery Waste Management Rules.
  4. What is the main objective of the Environmental Compensation (EC) Guidelines introduced by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)?
    A. To encourage producers to reduce battery prices
    B. To penalize producers for non-compliance with recycling rules and incentivize responsibility
    C. To limit the types of batteries allowed in the market
    D. To promote battery imports from other countries
    Correct Answer: B. To penalize producers for non-compliance with recycling rules and incentivize responsibility
    Explanation: The EC Guidelines aim to impose penalties on producers who fail to meet their recycling targets, while also encouraging them to take responsibility for their products’ environmental impact through financial incentives.

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