As conversations flowed, one theme kept returning to center stage—Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). Once seen as just a regulatory checkbox, EPR is rapidly transforming into a strategic enabler of the circular economy. And the Alumni Connect event made it clear: the future of waste management, sustainability, and corporate accountability lies in how we shape and implement these evolving EPR frameworks.
What is EPR—and Why Is It So Important Today?
Extended Producer Responsibility is a policy approach where producers take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of the products they manufacture—from design to disposal. It’s a bold shift in mindset: from “make, use, dispose” to “design, reuse, recover.”
But EPR isn’t just about managing waste—it’s about closing the loop. When done right, it nudges industries toward innovation in product design, encourages recyclability, promotes reverse logistics, and ultimately supports a circular economy where resources are reused instead of discarded.
Key Conversations at the Event
At TERI SAS, discussions dove deep into the upcoming EPR guidelines in India, especially in sectors like Plastics, e-waste, Batteries, Tires, Oil, vehicles, construction & Demolition and Non-Ferrous. With new draft policies on the horizon, the event became a sounding board for concerns, challenges, and opportunities that industry players are grappling with.
Some of the critical challenges highlighted:
- Lack of clarity in operational roles between producers, PROs (Producer Responsibility Organizations), and recyclers.
- Inconsistent enforcement across states, making it hard for national brands to standardize efforts.
- The absence of real-time data systems, making traceability and transparency difficult.
- Low awareness among micro and small businesses, especially in informal sectors.
- Limited infrastructure for recycling and material recovery in Tier 2 and 3 cities.
Despite these hurdles, the energy in the room was optimistic. Everyone agreed that while EPR compliance today can feel complex, the long-term environmental and economic benefits far outweigh the costs.
EPR: The Circular Economy Catalyst
What stood out most during the event was the growing consensus that EPR isn’t just a policy—it’s a tool for transformation. When effectively implemented, EPR can:
- Drive eco-design innovations that reduce waste at the source.
- Improve collection and segregation systems through better funding and accountability.
- Encourage partnerships between startups, corporations, and informal sectors for inclusive solutions.
- Generate green jobs in waste management, logistics, and recycling.
Kar Parivartan’s own experience working on-ground with waste aggregators and corporate partners has shown that impact scales best when responsibility is shared. It’s not just about cleaning up the mess—it’s about preventing the mess in the first place.
Looking Ahead: The Future of EPR in India
India’s EPR landscape is evolving rapidly. With upcoming rules being framed for new sectors (like textiles and packaging), and digitization becoming a backbone of compliance through online EPR portals, the future is both exciting and demanding.
What’s needed now is:
- Clearer, sector-specific guidelines that allow room for innovation.
- Stronger public-private partnerships to build infrastructure.
- Capacity-building programs to help MSMEs and local bodies comply effectively.
- Most importantly, a collaborative approach that values long-term sustainability over short-term fixes.
Final Thoughts
The TERI SAS Alumni Connect was more than just a networking event—it was a reminder of the powerful role that academia, industry, and civil society can play together in rewriting the story of waste and responsibility.
At Kar Parivartan, we came away inspired—and even more committed—to playing our part in India’s sustainability journey. As EPR becomes a cornerstone of environmental policy, we’re excited to help shape solutions that are circular, inclusive, and future-ready.
Because real change doesn’t happen in isolation—it happens when communities connect, collaborate, and commit. 🌍
