HC backs govt ban on recycled plastic bags

Wadhera’s contention. Quoting experts, they said while the recycled plastic might have ill-effects on prepared food items packed or served at a particular temperature, it did not have any adverse effect on dry food items.

Union Government counsel H.S. Phoolka told the court that the ministry had considered all these aspects before issuing the notification under the Environment Act, imposing a blanket ban on storing, carrying, dispensing and packaging of food items by vendors in carry bags or containers made of recycled plastic.

The notification had also laid down specific conditions for the manufacturers and and vendors of food items. It said they were allowed to make carry bags and containers only from `virgin’ (fresh) plastic and where recycled plastic bags and containers were used for non-food items, a mandatory warning in print should be displayed to show they were made of recycled plastic.

“The recycling should also be carried out strictly in accordance with the specification laid down by the Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS), and the standard should be clearly marked on the manufactured material,” the government notification had said.