MARGAO: To tackle environmental concerns and promote a sustainable approach to waste management, the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has initiated measures requiring all entities involved in tyre production, recycling, and retreading to register their facilities.
Under specific sections of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, GSPCB has mandated obtaining operational consent for these units, as outlined in a recent notification.
According to officials, the aim is to address tyre waste issues akin to those previously tackled with plastic and electronic waste, while also aligning with circular economy principles.
Referencing the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change’s (MoEF&CC) amendment rules dated July 21, 2022, the notification focused on the importance of extended producer responsibility for waste tyres.
Tyre waste in Goa often mars landscapes and becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes, prompting concerns about its environmental impact.
Entities conducting recycling and retreading operations without valid consent from the board are instructed to cease their activities immediately.
The public is encouraged to report any instances of illegal waste tyre handling to the relevant authorities.
Earlier, GSPCB had directed stakeholders involved in handling electrical and electronic equipment to register on the national online Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) e-waste portal by March 31.
GSPCB member secretary Shamila Monteiro stressed the importance of compliance, highlighting potential disruptions to business activities for those who fail to register. GSPCB may take further regulatory measures against non-compliant entities. The EPR e-waste portal serves as a central hub for electronic waste management, aligning with environmental regulations set forth by MoEF&CC. Compliance categories encompass various roles such as manufacturers, producers, refurbishers, and recyclers, with consequences for providing false information including registration revocation and environmental compensation charges by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Furthermore, manufacturers, producers, refurbishers and recyclers are required to adhere to storage timelines and maintain detailed records of e-waste transactions.
