HC reserves order on petition against ban on plastic bags

Delhi High Court today reserved its order on the petition filed by social activist Vinod Kumar Jain seeking a ban on plastic bags in the capital and to frame a policy for disposal of non-biodegradable material.A bench comprising Justice T S Thakur and Justice Siddharth Mridul after hearing the report of the commitee, constituted by them earlier and the petitioner, reserved its order.A committee comprising J K Dadoo, chairman of the pollution control committee, J M Mauskar chairman of central pollution control board and justice R C Chopra former judge of Delhi High Court was constituted by the court to look into the issues of environmental hazards caused by the use of plastic bags.The committee after consultations with various agencies like IIT, scientists of polymer science came to the conclusion that a blanket ban on plastic cannot be imposed in the capital as the virgin plastic is not injurious to health.The committee said ban should be imposed on recycled plastics as it is a health hazard. It suggested that the plastic manufacturing companies should have recycling plants and create public awareness for disposal of plastics.The committee also recommended the use of biodegradable plastic bags and the use of plastic waste in making road construction material and other products. On the other hand the committee said that finished virgin plastic bags are not injurious to health as it is chemically inert. Plastic, which is used worldwide for packing of medicines,life saving drugs,childcare products,packing bags cannot be banned totally, it added.UNI
5/28/2008
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