In March 2016, the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) published the Plastic Waste Management Rules (PWM), 2016 with the objective of plastic waste minimization in the country. Extended Producers Responsibility (EPR) is the central tenet of the PWM Rules, 2016. EPR is a globally established and accepted principle of environmental policy. It has been successfully implemented in many countries, including the EU since late 1980s. Indian policymakers have now legislated EPR as a tool for waste management to address plastic waste management in India. EPR authorization is mandatory and must be obtained by all the producers and brand owners. EPR stipulates that producer companies that design and use plastic packaging are accountable for managing a product through its life cycle. The producers and brand owners are required to register themselves with a full description of their EPR strategy for achieving recycling targets. The strategy requires details of EPR models that the company chooses for achieving waste reduction targets.

AMI started a new initiative under the name of ‘Nationwide Waste Management Services’ (NWMS, www.nwms.co.in) in 2018 for solid waste management (plastic, paper, glass and metal) focusing on SWM Rules 2016 promoting and giving solutions for Segregation at Source, proper storage and disposal. AMI’s programs of waste management have been widely accepted both by the Corporates and the Government of India. On 19th July 2018, NWMS was empaneled by the Delhi Municipal Corporation as one of the Authorized Waste Collector for Delhi/NCR. On 19th November 2018, NWMS was awarded Solid Waste Collection of entire Agra City and was given permission to setup Material Recovery Facility for Final Segregation and disposal. NWMS expects to expand the collection and waste management programs to other cities including South India. NWMS is also the authorised channel partner of AMI (PRO) helping with EPR activities for Brand owners.