Railways, metro, airports can act against plastic ban violators: Maharashtra
Maharashtra government today told Bombay High Court that it has authorized the railways, metro and airport authorities to initiate action, within their jurisdictional areas, against those violating the state's plastic ban. On March 23, the government had imposed a ban on manufacture, use, sale, distribution and storage of all plastic materials like one-time use bags, spoons, plates, PET and PETE bottles and thermocol items.
PET bottle, thermocol manufacturers' associations challenged the plastic ban
The notification was challenged in High Court by plastic, PET bottle and thermocol manufacturers and retailers' associations on the ground that the ban was arbitrary, bad in law and violated their right to livelihood. In April, a division bench of Justices AS Oka and Riyaz Chagla refused to stay the notification after observing that adverse effects of plastic waste on environment cannot be ignored.
PET bottles' manufacturers would ensure collection, recycling of bottles: Affidavit
The affidavit filed by Under Secretary of State Environment Department Sanjay Sandhanshiv further stated, "It shall be the sole responsibility of the manufacturer of PET bottles to ensure that these bottles are collected from retailers and recycled." The plan shall also include coordination and collaboration with scrap traders and retailers for the collection of plastic waste, its recycling, and the final disposal, it said.
Govt would take action if manufacturer fails to comply
If any manufacturer, producer or brand owner fails to comply with the extended producer's responsibility obligation, appropriate action will be initiated against them, the affidavit said. The high court today posted the petitions for final hearing on September 3.
