PPCB’s International Punjab Plastic Action Summit Calls for Producer Accountability & Technology-Driven Waste Management

The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) organised the International Punjab Plastic Action Summit 2026 at Amity University, Mohali, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, environmental experts, civil society representatives and international organisations to develop solutions to plastic pollution and advance the vision of a progressive ‘Rangla Punjab’.

The summit focused on global knowledge-sharing, technology-driven interventions and greater accountability across the plastic value chain, emphasising the need to ensure that plastic waste is safely collected, scientifically processed and responsibly managed to prevent contamination of soil and water, its entry into the food chain and potential risks to human health.

The event was attended by Punjab Chief Secretary K.A.P. Sinha, Punjab Development Commission Vice Chairperson Seema Bansal, Director of Environment and Climate Change Dr Shailender Kaur, IFS, and senior representatives of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste and the World Bank, among other stakeholders.

Deliberations covered advanced waste-processing technologies, circular-economy models, sustainable alternatives, effective implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and community-led initiatives.

The summit also highlighted the findings of the PPCB’s Plastic Waste Brand Audit, conducted across six major cities of Punjab. The audit examined approximately 7,000 kg of sampled waste and traced nearly 12,000 packets to 231 companies, highlighting the scale of branded plastic waste and the need to strengthen producer accountability.

In his special address, Chief Secretary K.A.P. Sinha highlighted the economic challenges associated with plastic packaging, particularly multi-layered plastic (MLP) used for wafers, biscuits and other consumer products.

He pointed out that such packaging often has little or no recovery value for waste pickers, resulting in discarded material remaining on roads and in public spaces. He also stressed the importance of public responsibility, drawing attention to the values of restraint, simplicity and mindful consumption reflected in religious teachings.

The summit highlighted a key concern emerging from the brand audit: the gap between compliance reported on national EPR systems and the visible presence of branded plastic waste on the ground.

Under the existing framework, geo-neutral EPR certificates can allow producers to fulfil recycling obligations through plastic waste processed elsewhere in the country, without necessarily ensuring the recovery of an equivalent quantity of waste in the states where their products are consumed.

Participants discussed the need for more transparent and traceable accountability mechanisms that connect producers’ obligations with measurable environmental outcomes and the actual waste burden faced by local communities.

The discussions also highlighted the environmental and public health concerns associated with inadequately managed plastic waste. When plastic enters the environment, it can break down into smaller particles and contribute to soil and water contamination, creating potential pathways for plastics and associated pollutants to enter the food chain.

The summit emphasised that preventing plastic waste from entering the environment must remain a priority, alongside recycling, scientific processing and clean-up measures.

Participants called for technological advancements to improve plastic packaging, waste collection, segregation, recycling and processing, while reducing dependence on virgin materials and minimising waste generation.

Discussions also covered sustainable alternatives and the need to develop solutions that are effective, economically viable and scalable. The Alliance to End Plastic Waste committed to exploring avenues for providing technical and financial support to Punjab for plastic-waste management.

The overarching priority, participants stressed, is to ensure that plastic waste is not simply shifted from one location to another but managed responsibly throughout its lifecycle—from consumption and segregation to recovery, recycling and appropriate disposal of material that cannot be recycled.

Addressing the summit, PPCB Chairperson Reena Gupta said the goal must be to ensure that plastic waste is safely collected, scientifically processed and responsibly disposed of.

“Our goal must be to ensure that plastic, once used, is safely collected, scientifically processed and responsibly disposed of. It must not contaminate our soil and water, enter our food chain or threaten human health. By embracing the best available technologies, strengthening producer accountability and making every citizen a partner in this mission, we can turn the challenge of plastic waste into an opportunity for a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable Punjab,” Gupta said.

She added that the vision of ‘Rangla Punjab’ is to build a vibrant state where development goes hand in hand with environmental responsibility and protecting the environment also means safeguarding the health of future generations.

Gupta emphasised that the responsibility for managing plastic waste cannot rest solely with sanitation workers or the government. Producers, institutions, communities and individual citizens must all contribute to ensuring that plastic remains a useful material rather than becoming an uncontrolled environmental burden.

The PPCB also showcased its ongoing initiatives to reduce plastic consumption and promote responsible alternatives at public gatherings and institutions.

These include the Plastic-Free Langar initiative at Fatehgarh Sahib, Plastic-Free Prasad at Kali Mandir in Patiala, and the Plastic-Free Hola Mohalla initiative at Sri Anandpur Sahib, where thousands of devotees used steel and biodegradable cutlery.

The board is also piloting a Plastic-Free Lunch Campaign and an MLP Collection Drive in schools and colleges across Patiala. The initiatives aim to encourage young people to adopt responsible consumption habits and strengthen waste-segregation practices.

Through the summit and its ongoing programmes, the PPCB reiterated the importance of combining producer accountability, technological innovation and community participation to address plastic pollution and support a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable Punjab.