Kerala High Court Asks Pollution Control Board To Formulate Permanent Plan Of Action To Prevent Unregistered Manufacturers Of Plasticware

The Kerala High Court has called upon the Pollution Control Board to come up with a 'permanent plan of action' to ensure that producers and manufacturers of plastic cups, plates, covers and other products do not carry their business in violation of the provisions of the Plastic Waste Management Rules of 2016. The Division Bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice S.Manu stated that continuous monitoring is required in the matter, which will have to be done by the Pollution Control Board with the help of local authorities and police. Therefore, a permanent plan of action to ensure that unregistered manufacturers and producers do not engage in activities covered by the concerned Rules will have to be formulated by the Board.” The Court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation seeking directions to the State government to take strict action against producers and manufacturers of plastic cups, plates, covers and other products who are operating without obtaining registration as per the Rules. It also stated that as per Rule 12, the Pollution Control Board is the prescribed authority for enforcing provisions regarding registration, manufacturing, packaging, and processing of plastic plates and cups and their disposal.