New Delhi: The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has introduced stringent environmental compensation guidelines to address violations of the Battery Waste Management (BWM) Rules, 2022. The new measures, issued by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on September 10, aim to ensure stricter compliance with battery waste regulations and promote better waste management practices across the country.

The guidelines include penalties not only for failing to comply with battery waste disposal rules but also for not meeting metal-specific extended producer responsibility (EPR) targets. These EPR targets are designed to hold producers responsible for the entire lifecycle of their products, from manufacturing to recycling. The government has outlined a range of penalties based on battery chemistry, with costs for non-compliance varying significantly. For instance, producers of lead batteries may face penalties of Rs 18 per kg, while the fine for lithium batteries could reach as high as Rs 2,400 per kg, reflecting the differing complexities and environmental impacts of recycling each type.

The CPCB has been entrusted with developing the necessary framework to impose and collect environmental compensation from violators, reinforcing the government’s commitment to environmental sustainability and responsible waste management across the country. These efforts aim to improve recycling practices and reduce the environmental burden posed by battery waste. /BI