Plastic case full order Review Application No.89 of 2019 S.VAIDYANATHAN,J. AND P.T.ASHA,J. Mr.V.Chandrasekaran, learned Standing Counsel appearing for the 2nd Respondent would submit that, he has not been able to get answers to the queries raised by this Court on the last occasion and that, before the next hearing, he would be tabling the Status Report to that effect.
Review Application No.89 of 2019
S.VAIDYANATHAN,J.
AND
P.T.ASHA,J.
Mr.V.Chandrasekaran, learned Standing Counsel appearing for the 2nd Respondent would submit that, he has not been able to get answers to the queries raised by this Court on the last occasion and that, before the next hearing, he would be tabling the Status Report to that effect.
- The Court had also placed a query to the learned Standing Counsel as to whether the Central Government could think of directing the food manufacturers to pack their products in packages which are other than plastics and suggest the methods they could adopt for enforcing the above.
- Mr.J.Ravindran, learned Additional Advocate General produced the Advertisements being periodically published in the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board website, which offers the alternative for using plastics in different forms. For example, the alternative that is offered for Plastic Thermocol plates is Plantain leaves, Lotus and Areca Leaf plates, Stainless Steel and Ceramic plates, Aluminium containers and wraps, etc. Likewise, for the Plastic carry bags of all sizes and thickness, alternatives that are offered are Paper, Jute, Cloth and Cardboard bags. These are a few of the illustrations. The Additional Advocate General would also assure the Court that, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board endeavours to give greater publicity to the above.
- The learned Additional Advocate General also informed the Court that the Food Safety and Drug Administration Department, Chennai that monitors the food safety standards in Hotels, Restaurants etc, may be impleaded as a party to the proceedings, as their presence would be useful in this ongoing litigation, and that, they would also be able to give their suggestions towards a plastic-free society.
- In view of the above, this Court suo motu impleads the Commissioner of Food Safety and Drug Administration Department, DMS Complex, Teynampet, Chennai as party Respondent in this matter.
- The Bench has the following queries:
(i) Firstly, insofar as drinking water stored in plastic bottles is concerned, it becomes a significant problem not only to the well-being of the environment, but, affects the quality of our health, as well. Though there is no standard expiry period for drinking water, life of plastic bottles, which carry water is short, apart from its sub-standard quality, as storage of water in a sub-standard water bottle for a longer period of time results in conversion of good water into a poisonous one on account of mixture of plastic particles with water. The Central Government must find out an effective alternative for plastic bottles for drinking purposes in all public places; Equally, the use of bubble top water can in all places has become common in Tamil Nadu, despite the fact that, it is highly hazardous to life.
(ii) Secondly, whether AAVIN, which is the major milk supplier throughout the State can think of offering milk in bottles instead of sachets; To start with, they can offer a choice to the consumer to buy milk in bottles by paying extra charges or offer a period to eradicate supply of milk in sachets. The Bench also put a suggestion as to whether AAVIN can think of marketing milk in non-hazardous Tetrapacks.
(iii) Similarly, the supply of provisions and edibles now being marketed in sachets can also be packed in the substitutes as suggested above.
- The State Government is directed to file a detailed Status Report as to (a) how drinking water is prepared; (b) how water cans are cleaned up; (c) the life span of water cans; (d) how many days water is stored in water cans and (e) the mechanism being followed for destruction of water cans. The State Government shall indicate as to whether records are maintained with regard to the above. Further, the State Government shall also file a detailed Report as regards supply of milk in Bottles/Tetrapacks, by obtaining suggestions from AAVIN.
- List this matter for further hearing on 29.08.2022 at 2.15 p.m.
(S.V.N.,J.) (P.T.A.,J.)
12.08.2022
12.08.2022
