Gujarat High Court Asks 8 Municipal Corporations To Install Cloth Bag Vending Machines In Tourist Spots To Tackle Plastic Waste Disposal

The Gujarat High Court has asked eight municipal corporations in the state to emulate the initiative undertaken by the State Pollution Control Board of installing cloth bags vending machines and reverse vending machines for collecting plastic bottles, with a view to encourage plastic waste disposal and recycling. 

The court further asked Municipalities managing tourist spots like Dwarka and Somnath to also set up such machines in places which have large tourist footfall. 

Taking note of the initiative taken by the Gujarat Pollution Control Board in Ahmedabad and Surat, the division bench of Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice DN Ray in its order said:

"In the meantime, 8 Municipal Corporations in the State shall make an endeavour to emulate the initiative taken by the GPCB in installation of cloth bag vending machines and reverse vending machines (for collecting plastic bottles) in all key areas to be identified by them, specifically where there is a large footfall of the general public. The Municipalities which are managing tourist places like Dwarka and Somnath in the State shall also draw an example to set-up such machines in the areas of major tourist footfall. We find that the Municipal Commissioners of the Municipal Corporations are required to take proactive measures within the area of their jurisdiction to curb plastic waste menace and manage plastic waste by not only taking measures as per the Rules, but also by conducting workshops in the schools run by the Municipal Corporation to create awareness. Effective steps are to be taken to ensure implementation of the Central Government campaign of “Swachh Bharat Mission”, in the State". 

The court passed the order in a PIL plea highlighting the non disposal of plastic waste around the temples on Girnar hill, Junagadh, which is an eco sensitive zone.

The Gujarat Pollution Control Board informed the high court through its affidavit that it had inspected 91 Nagarpalikas, out of which 65 Nagarpalikas have installed Material Recovery Facilities (MRF) and 32 Nagarpalikas have signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with registered Plastic Waste Processor for processing of plastic waste. 

It was submitted that out of 65, 3 MRF facilities are not operational as yet; 39 are manually operated; 21 are mechanized and 5 MRF Facilities are operated both manually and mechanically.

The GPCB further stated that 26 Nagarpalikas have not installed any MRF Facility for segregation of plastic waste, however, for 3 Nagarpalikas, MRF facilities are under construction and one Nagarpalika has tied up with the private agency to process legacy waste.

"25 Nagarpalikas have, thus, not provided any information about plastic waste generation. Thus, in all, 59 Nagrapalikas have not signed MOU with the registered Plastic Waste Processor for processing of generated plastic waste. Resultantly, 88 show-cause notices have been issued by the GPCB to the respective Nagarpalikas either for non-installation of MRF Facility and/or nonsigning of MOU with a registered Plastic Waste Processor," the order notes.

The affidavit further stated that in furtherance of strict implementation of Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 and to "promote eco-friendly practices" two initiatives have been taken by the GPCB, which are installation of Cloth Bag Vending Machines in key areas across Ahmedabad and Surat and installation of Reverse Vending Machines (24 in number) for collecting plastic bottles across the State to encourage proper disposal and recycling.

The affidavit also stated that the GPCB and the State Monitoring Committee are "committed to make sustained efforts for strict implementation" of the 2016 Rules and all necessary steps will continue.

The matter is next listed on September 12. 

Case title: AMIT MANIBHAI PANCHAL v/s STATE OF GUJARAT & ORS.

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