Page 64 - Plastics News June 2018

in the news

Cut down on use of plastic in courts says Delhi HC

mphasising on the need to preserve the environment, been issued to all district judges to identify a team of
EDelhi High Court Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal said three judges who are interested in working on issues
immediate steps need to be taken to minimise plastic related to the environment.
utilisation, especially single-use plastic items including
pens and other stationery items, in courts. The judge also HDMC to intensify action against
issued an administrative order, directing the high court
and all district courts in the capital to take immediate use of banned plastic materials
steps to replace plastic items. “Global concerns of
environment degradation, as well as those of pollution ith the use of banned plastic materials continuing
Wrampantly, the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal
Corporation (HDMC) has decided to get stricter. Its
health department is planning to form two separate
teams in Hubballi (North and South) and another one
in Dharwad. HDMC officials will be asked to check the
license of traders and usage of banned plastic. Dr
Prabhu Biradar, health officer, HDMC, said already the
process of taking action against the usage of banned
plastic materials is on. “Despite this, the practice is
not yet totally curbed. But now, we will take the drive
against unlawful practice to the next level and initiate
merciless action,” he said. Janata Bazar is very close

and waste management in Delhi, render it imperative
that immediate steps are taken to reduce the carbon
footprints of all our actions and reduce contribution to
waste generation in Delhi and the courts,” the order
said. It said a direction shall be issued by the Registrar
General of the High Court to all its branches and district
courts. “In case there are stocks available of such items,
after their utilisation, they shall not be replaced with
single use plastic items, unless they are irreplaceable.
In case of any difficulty, the same be immediately to the HDMC office, but here everyone using banned
brought to notice,” said the order. A committee has plastic carry bags fearlessly. “If the officials are serious
been constituted in the HC — which will be headed by about action, then they should curtail the supply of
its Registrar General Dinesh Kumar Sharma — to examine banned plastic materials. The officials of HDMC and
the working branches and courts, and identify sources SWM department have not even bothered to take action
of waste generation (including liquid and solid waste) against wholesale dealers,” said Ravi Habib, a vendor.
as well as pollution. “The committee shall urgently Most of the vendors and shop owners levelled charges
examine and suggest measures for reduction of waste against the officials of HDMC and said that the plastic
in courts,” the order said, adding that a direction has ban has just remained on papers.

Plastics News June 2018 64