EPR Plastic Uplifts Informal Waste Pickers in India

How EPR Plastic is Empowering Informal Waste Pickers in India

In recent years, the pressing issue of plastic pollution has forced governments and industries to adopt more sustainable waste management solutions. Among these, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) has emerged as a transformative policy instrument. EPR plastic policies in India are not only tackling environmental challenges but are also significantly empowering the backbone of the country's waste management ecosystem — the informal waste pickers.

Understanding EPR Plastic and Its Role

EPR plastic refers to the responsibility placed on producers, importers, and brand owners (PIBOs) to ensure the environmentally sound management of plastic waste. Under the EPR framework, businesses are obligated to collect and process a specified quantity of plastic equivalent to what they produce or sell. This includes recycling, co-processing, or other end-of-life disposal methods.

The EPR recycling ecosystem is being built around traceability, transparency, and accountability. While on the surface, this may seem like a policy move directed at corporates, its ripple effects are being felt far and wide—especially by the informal sector.

The Role of Informal Waste Pickers in India's Waste Economy

India generates over 3.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, a significant portion of which is collected by informal waste pickers — estimated to be around 1.5 to 4 million people. These individuals, often operating without any formal recognition or rights, are responsible for collecting, segregating, and selling recyclable waste. Despite their contribution, they have historically remained marginalised, underpaid, and vulnerable.

With the advent of EPR in India, there is a growing need for traceable, verified waste collection. This need is leading to the formal inclusion of informal waste workers into the certified collection and recycling systems. EPR plastic obligations are catalysing collaborations between producer responsibility organisations (PROs), recyclers, and waste picker cooperatives.

EPR Plastic and Empowerment: The Link

The structure of EPR plastic schemes in India demands verified documentation for waste collection, transportation, and recycling. This formal structure requires on-ground waste recovery agents — a role naturally aligned with the informal workforce. As PROs and recyclers scale operations to meet EPR targets, they are increasingly relying on waste picker groups for primary collection, especially in urban and peri-urban areas.

Here’s how EPR plastic is empowering these workers:

1. Formal Recognition and Inclusion
   Through PROs and municipal collaborations, many waste pickers are being provided ID cards, safety equipment, and training. This formal recognition ensures they have access to better working conditions and social schemes.
   
   

2. Economic Upliftment
   Inclusion in the EPR recycling supply chain often brings more stable and fairer prices for collected plastic waste. With EPR credits being monetised, PROs can afford to pay higher rates to waste pickers, creating a more dignified income source.
   
   

3. Capacity Building and Training
   Training programs on waste segregation, handling of EPR e waste, safety protocols, and even digital skills are being rolled out. This upskilling helps them participate more effectively in formal systems.
   
   

4. Women Empowerment
   A large segment of informal waste workers comprises women. Their inclusion into EPR systems not only offers income security but also enables social mobility and decision-making power in their households and communities.
   
   

Case Studies: Real-World Impact

In Pune, the SWaCH cooperative, which comprises thousands of women waste pickers, has partnered with municipal bodies and PROs under EPR plastic programmes. This has led to the creation of structured waste collection systems where waste pickers receive regular payments, health benefits, and pensions.

Similarly, in Delhi, some PROs have developed mobile apps that track and log collection activities. Waste pickers, equipped with smartphones, log their daily collection, helping generate EPR plastic credits while receiving direct payments and bonuses based on performance.

These models show that EPR in India is not merely a compliance burden for companies but a powerful tool for socio-economic development when implemented inclusively.

EPR E Waste: Learning from a Parallel Industry

While EPR plastic policies are relatively new, EPR e-waste regulations have been in place since 2011. E-waste collection has shown that formalising waste systems through incentives and traceability is possible, but it must be inclusive. Informal e-waste dismantlers were initially excluded, leading to implementation gaps. However, recent efforts are now attempting to include them in formal supply chains. This experience offers valuable lessons for the plastic waste sector.

The success of EPR e-waste now depends on partnerships with kabadiwalas (scrap dealers) and dismantling units that can report collected quantities accurately. Similarly, EPR recycling efforts in plastic must ensure informal waste pickers are not replaced by machines or excluded by high-cost systems, but rather uplifted and integrated into the new framework.

Challenges and the Way Forward

Despite the opportunities, several challenges remain:

• Lack of Digital Literacy: Many waste pickers find it difficult to use apps or digital tracking tools required for EPR documentation.
  
  

• Middlemen Exploitation: In some regions, middlemen continue to underpay collectors despite higher margins from EPR-linked sales.
  
  

• Policy Awareness: A significant number of waste pickers are unaware of EPR plastic schemes and how they can benefit.
  
  

To address these, there needs to be a national effort to disseminate information, incentivise ethical PROs, and create grievance redressal mechanisms.

Conclusion

EPR plastic schemes are much more than just environmental compliance tools. When designed and implemented thoughtfully, they have the power to transform lives — particularly those of India’s informal waste pickers. By formalising their role in EPR recycling, offering better wages, recognition, and support, India can set a global example in building inclusive, circular economies.

As we move forward, it is essential that the EPR in India ecosystem keeps the informal sector at its core. Empowering them is not just a matter of policy — it’s a moral and economic imperative that ensures both environmental sustainability and social justice.