Event Overview

On 8–10 June 2026, the South Asia Co‑operative Environment Programme (SACEP) hosted a Training Programme on Demonstration of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Plastic Credit Systems in Kathmandu, Nepal. The three‑day conference brought together government officials, ministers, regulators, producers, brand owners, recyclers, waste operators and sustainability experts from India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka to share knowledge and strengthen circular‑economy frameworks across South Asia.

Bisleri’s Participation

Bisleri International, India’s leading packaged drinking water company, was selected to represent India at the event. Mr. K. Ganesh, Director – Sustainability & Corporate Affairs at Bisleri International, attended as a key resource person and industry representative. He led a practitioner session titled “Experience Sharing: How Indian PIBOs Operate under EPR,” providing first‑hand insights into the functioning of Producers, Importers and Brand Owners (PIBOs) within India’s evolving EPR ecosystem.

Session Content and Key Discussions

During the session, Mr. Ganesh detailed the registration and compliance management process through the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) portal, the engagement mechanisms with recyclers, aggregators and Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs), and the documentation and verification procedures required under the EPR framework. He highlighted practical challenges such as data‑quality issues, limited recycler capacity, cost considerations and regulatory compliance hurdles. In a subsequent high‑level discussion, he addressed the alignment between existing EPR regulations and emerging plastic‑credit mechanisms, outlining opportunities for collaboration among governments, industry players and waste‑management stakeholders to accelerate circularity and improve plastic‑waste outcomes across the region.

Strategic Implications and Statements

Mr. Ganesh emphasized that “Extended Producer Responsibility has emerged as one of the most important policy instruments for creating accountability, improving traceability and driving investment into waste‑management infrastructure.” He noted that India’s EPR journey has generated valuable learnings on collaboration between producers, recyclers, regulators and the informal sector, and that platforms such as SACEP are critical for South Asian countries to share experiences, strengthen regional cooperation and hasten the transition toward a circular economy.

Company Background and Sustainability Initiatives

Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd., with a legacy of over 50 years, is one of the largest premium beverage businesses in India and the maker of the country’s largest‑selling packaged drinking water. The company conducts 114 quality tests and employs a 10‑stage purification process. It operates 128 plants and maintains a distribution network of more than 6,000 distributors and 7,500 trucks across India and the UAE. Bisleri’s product portfolio includes Vedica Himalayan Spring Water and a range of carbonated drinks such as Limonata, Rev, Spyci Jeera, Pop and Soda, all available through its e‑commerce platform Bisleri@Doorstep.

Bisleri’s sustainability agenda, branded as Sustainability 2.0 and the Bisleri Greener Promise, focuses on recycling, water conservation and broader sustainability initiatives. Through active participation in regional and international forums, Bisleri continues to contribute to policy dialogue, knowledge sharing and collaborative solutions that support a more sustainable future for South Asia.

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