Gujarat HC criticises govt on plastic waste, warns of action for delay

In the ongoing hearing of the PIL concerning pollution and plastic waste at Girnar Hills, the Gujarat High Court has taken a stern stance on the issue of plastic waste management. 

Meanwhile, the state government informed the court today that a circular was issued on September 6, directing that Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) for plastic waste disposal must be set up within a fixed timeframe in all municipalities under each regional commissioner.

The government further stated that no extensions beyond the stipulated deadlines will be given, and if plastic waste disposal is not carried out on time, chief officers have been instructed to take action against the responsible officials.

During the hearing, the division bench of Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice D N Ray made an important suggestion to the government and authorities that reverse vending machines should be installed at public places for the collection of plastic bottles. The bench emphasised that when people carry plastic bottles into public areas, they should be charged a token amount at the entry point, which can be refunded once the bottle is returned.

The high court criticised the current practice, pointing out that people often discard plastic bottles in the open after use, leading to littering. Therefore, awareness should be created at entry points itself to discourage people from carrying plastic bottles to such locations.

Following the hearing on Friday, the high court scheduled the next hearing of this PIL for November.