Kerala HC imposes ban on single-use plastic items in hilly areas
The ban is on plastic water bottles with less than five litre carrying capacity, soft drink bottles with less than two litre carrying capacity, food containers, plates, cups and straws, among others, and is extended to official functions hosted by government agencies. Irresponsible disposal of plastic waste posed a serious threat to all life forms, said the court.
On breaking down, plastic turns into harmful micro plastic nodules, which find their way into waterbodies and are ultimately consumed by human beings and animals. Even after knowing this, the use of alternatives to plastic has not permeated into the human lifestyle. The Indian Constitution behoves each person to conserve the environment for future generations – a trust bestowed on us. It is thus essential to minimise the use of plastic.
The court went on to add that adequate number of kiosks that vend clean and safe drinking water must be set up at tourist spots in hilly areas, at weddings and other events, or water should be supplied in glass or stainless steel bottles. The alternatives to use and throw plastic food containers and tumblers included containers made of stainless steel or glass or those made of biodegradable substances. Likewise, cloth of paper bags were the ideal alternative to non-woven carry bags.
In waterbodies
In addition, the State government and local bodies must take steps to prevent the dumping of plastic waste in waterbodies.
On its part, the State government must take steps to spread awareness on the ill effects of single-use plastics and the indiscriminate dumping of plastic waste. Steps must also be taken to ensure adherence to the 'extended producer responsibility' as per the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 and the other pertinent legal provisions. The adherence to these rules was needed to protect the fundamental right that people had to have a safe and clean environment, the court said. It further directed the Chief Secretary and the Special Secretary of Local Self Government institutions to coordinate with local bodies, the Kerala State Pollution Control Board, and the police to effectively implement the directions.
The court reminded that both the State government and the pollution control board had banned the use of single-use plastics in 2019 and 2018 respectively. Voluntary organisations can help collect plastic waste from waterbodies.
Submit suggestions
The High Court had earlier this month directed the State government and other stakeholders to address environmental problems posed by the widespread use of small plastic water bottles, especially at tourist destinations in hilly areas, wedding receptions, and other celebrations and had instructed stakeholders, including the pollution control board, to submit their suggestions by Monday, to pronounce its order on the matter on Tuesday.
Earlier, while suggesting the implementation of a buy-back system by which the Kerala State Beverages Corporation could collect such plastic bottles and return them to liquor companies for recycling, the court had observed that such a system could significantly reduce plastic waste in the State.
The order was based on a suo motu case taken up following concerns flagged during the proceedings related to the fire at a solid waste treatment plant at Brahmapuram in Kochi in 2023.
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