KSPCB Probes Four Officials Over Fake Plastic Recycling Certificates

KSPCB has ordered an internal inquiry.

Fake recycling certificates allegedly bypassed EPR rules.

Officials face action over certification lapses.

KSPCB Investigation Into Fake Recycling Certificates

The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board has ordered a departmental inquiry against four officials following allegations that recycling certificates were approved without proper checks.

The case concerns the Extended Producer Responsibility system, under which companies that place plastic products on the market are required to ensure that the resulting plastic waste is properly collected and recycled.

The alleged irregularities came to light during an audit involving the Environment Department and the Central Pollution Control Board.

Certificates Issued Without Actual Recycling

According to the allegations, some recycling units were generating certificates claiming that plastic waste had been recycled even though the required processing had not actually taken place.

These certificates could then be used by companies to demonstrate compliance with their EPR obligations. The alleged practice raises concerns because certificates issued without genuine recycling could allow companies to meet regulatory targets on paper without ensuring that equivalent plastic waste was actually processed.

The KSPCB officials under scrutiny are accused of approving such certificates without adequate verification of the recycling activities.

Departmental Action Begins

The pollution control board has issued notices to the four officials and initiated disciplinary proceedings. The investigation is expected to examine how the certificates were approved and whether required inspection procedures were followed.

Authorities are also looking at recycling facilities suspected of violating the rules. Units found to have submitted false records or failed to carry out the required recycling activities could face cancellation of their registrations and financial penalties.

Environmental Compliance Under Question

The alleged certification racket has raised wider questions about how effectively plastic recycling is being monitored in Karnataka.

EPR certificates are intended to provide a regulatory record of plastic waste management. If certificates are issued without actual recycling, the system can lose credibility while creating an inaccurate picture of the amount of plastic waste being recovered and processed.

The departmental inquiry will now determine the extent of the alleged violations and the responsibility of the officials involved.