On March 28th, 2025, the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) issued new directions under Section 18(1)(b) of both the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. The update is part of an ongoing effort to harmonize and refine the classification of industrial sectors in the state, specifically regarding Compressed Biogas (CBG/Bio-CNG) Plants.
The directions follow a detailed review by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in response to representations calling for the reclassification of CBG plants. The CPCB announced the revision of sector classifications to better address the environmental impact of CBG plants based on their feedstock and by-product production.
Background and Rationale
The CPCB’s new approach stems from a growing concern over the environmental impact of various feedstock materials used in CBG plants. These plants process materials like Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), agro-residues, energy crops, grass, and weeds—some of which have significant littering potential. While CBG production from industrial and process waste was previously classified under different categories, the potential environmental impact of these new feedstocks raised concerns. Therefore, a reclassification was deemed necessary to properly categorize the CBG plants based on their Pollution Index (PI) scores.
In a meeting held on March 17, 2025, a specialized committee reviewed these concerns and finalized the new classification, which now includes a Blue category—a new classification designed to address essential environmental services for managing pollution arising from domestic and household activities.
Key Updates in CBG Plant Classification
The new classification framework divides CBG plants into five sub-sectors, categorizing them under Red, Blue, and White categories. These categories are based on the respective Pollution Index scores and are designed to reflect the environmental impact of the plants more accurately. The revised classifications will help streamline the management of these plants and ensure better control of pollution from various industrial and domestic sources.
- Red Category: High pollution potential.
- Orange Category: Moderate pollution potential.
- Green Category: Low pollution potential.
- White Category: Minimal pollution potential.
- Blue Category: New addition, focusing on the management of pollution from domestic and household activities that could have large littering potential.
What This Means for Industry Stakeholders
With the new directions, the PPCB has directed all State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) to adopt the revised classification system for CBG plants. This will lead to more accurate monitoring and regulation of these plants based on their environmental impact, especially in terms of the materials they process.
The classification system is part of a broader effort to manage pollution more effectively across various industrial sectors. As per the revised methodology, each sector is evaluated based on a Pollution Index, which considers the environmental effects on water, air, and hazardous waste. This approach aims to ensure that pollution control measures are applied where they are most needed, contributing to the state’s broader goals of environmental sustainability.
