Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) in Madhya Pradesh, India, has created history by becoming the first urban body in the country to receive Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) credit for effectively recycling banned single-use plastic items. The city of Indore has implemented a comprehensive ban on single-use plastics, leading to the recent seizure of approximately eight tonnes of such plastic, preventing its circulation and contributing to a cleaner environment. Furthermore, Indore has earned the prestigious distinction of being recognized as India’s cleanest city for the sixth consecutive year in the central government’s annual cleanliness survey.
The concept of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) entails extending a producer’s responsibility for a product to the post-consumer stage of its life cycle. Indore’s commendable efforts in responsible waste management and sustainable practices have earned the city an EPR credit of Rs 8,100. To address the challenge of recycling the seized plastic, the IMC established a recycling plant operating under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. This state-of-the-art facility has played a pivotal role in converting the seized plastic waste into reusable materials, effectively reducing the burden on landfills and promoting a circular economy.
Indore faces the daily challenge of managing a substantial amount of solid waste, with an average of 1,162 tonnes generated each day, including around 164 tonnes of plastic waste. However, the IMC has implemented an efficient waste collection system wherein waste is systematically categorized and collected from every doorstep in the city using civic vehicles. The collected waste is then promptly transported to the recycling plant for proper disposal, ensuring that Indore remains a clean and environmentally sustainable city.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan expressed his heartfelt congratulations to the residents and local administration of Indore for this significant achievement. He emphasized the importance of promoting a circular economy, aligning with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and commended the IMC for its tireless efforts in realizing this goal.