Page 58 - Plastics News February 2019

in the news

Can Tamil Nadu ban plastic, Plastic bottle recycling machine

Madras HC asks Centre inaugurated at bus stand at

Salem
he Madras high court has directed the Union government
Tto inform the court whether the state government
had powers to implement a ban on the use of plastic plastic bottle recycling machine that helps people
products under the Environment Protection Act. Justice A avail themselves of benefits has been installed at
M M Sundaresh and Justice Krishnan Ramaswamy passed platform no: 2 at Dr. M.G.R. Central Bus Stand (New Bus
Standin Salem Under the Corporate Social Responsibility
initiative, companies had contributed Rs. 2 lakh and
installed the machine that will be maintained by the
Corporation. People need to drop the empty bottle (250
ml to 2.25 litres) into the machine after which a voice
will ask them to choose one of the five options: coupon,
donate, water, mobile and wi-fi facility If coupon is
chosen, a coupon slip with discount for purchase at
shops comes out from the machine.If donate option is
exercised, the person is not willing to get any benefits.
If water option is pressed, the person gets 250 ml

the interim order after impleading the Centre as party water. While mobile option helps people charge their
respondent to the plea moved by the Tamil Nadu Plastic phones for 5 minutes in the charging slot, wi-fi option
Manufacturers Association, challenging the prohibition on helps them get connected to internet for five minutes.
the use of Single used plastics imposed by the state. At Corporation Commissioner R. Sadheesh inaugurated
the final hearing on a batch of cases filed against the ban the facility in the presence of City Health Officer K.
imposed by the State government on manufacture, sale, Parthiban and members from AVR Jewellers. Officials
use and possession of ‘use and throw’ plastic products
such as carry bags, flags, cups and dining table covers
from the beginning of this year a division Bench of Justices
M.M. Sundresh and Krishnan Ramasamy began hearing the
arguments advanced by a host of advocates representing
various associations of plastic product manufacturers.
Appearing for the Tamil Nadu Plastics Manufacturers
Association, senior counsel P. Wilson contended that the
State had entered into a forbidden area and banned the
manufacture and sale of a class of plastic products without
any jurisdiction since only the Centre had the power to do
so under the Environment (Protection) Act of 1986. “You
(State government) are only a delegatory authority under said that commuters instead of throwing the bottles
the Act, you cannot exercise residuary powers conferred can use the machine and get the benefits. Also, it helps
under it on the Central government,” the senior counsel recycle plastics thereby protect the environment.
said and claimed that the State government ought not Tamilnadu had implemented the ban on plastics ban
to have gone to the extent of completely eradicating since January 01,2019. Even as the State-wide ban
a category of plastic products in toto irrespective of on 14 kinds of plastics and thermocol, including carry
their thickness.Following the argument the Madras high bags, comes into force the State government is geared
court has directed the Union government to inform the to “seal, seize and stop” those who don’t follow the
court whether the state government had powers to rule. Don’t forget to carry your own cloth/jute bags or
implement a ban. baskets for shopping.

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