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Synopsis

The Madras High Court has directed the State government to file a status report on the effective alternatives for using plastic and suggestions from the Centre and AAVIN (state's largest milk supplier) to make a plastic-free society.

A division bench of Justice S Vaidyanathan and Justice PT Asha observed that when it comes to drinking water stored in plastic bottles, it becomes a significant problem not only for the environment's well-being but also for the quality of our health.

Court added that though there is no standard expiry period for drinking water, the life of plastic bottles that carry water is short, in addition to its substandard quality, because storing water in a substandard water bottle for an extended period of time results in conversion of good water into poisonous water due to the mixture of plastic particles with water.

Further, Court opined that the Central Government must find an effective alternative to plastic bottles for drinking purposes in all public places. Similarly, the use of bubble top water cans in all places has become common in Tamil Nadu, even though it is extremely dangerous to one's health, Court said. 

Court also inquired whether AAVIN can consider offering milk in bottles instead of sachets. To begin with, they can offer a choice to the consumer to buy milk in bottles by paying extra charges or offer a period to eliminate the supply of milk in sachets, Court stated.

The bench also suggested that AAVIN can consider marketing milk in non-hazardous Tetra packs.

Similarly, Court suggested that the supply of provisions and edibles now sold in sachets can be packed in the above-mentioned substitutes.

Furthermore, Court directed the State Government to file a detailed status report on how drinking water is prepared, how water cans are cleaned, the life span of water cans, the number of days water is stored in water cans, and the mechanism used for water can destruction.

The State Government must indicate whether or not the aforementioned records are kept and it must also file a detailed report on the supply of milk in bottles/tetra packs, based on suggestions from AAVIN, Court ordered.

Moreover, Court suo moto impleaded the Commissioner of Food Safety and Drug Administration Department, DMS Complex, Teynampet, Chennai, as a party, to provide suggestions towards a plastic-free society.

The bench listed the matter for August 29, 2022, for further hearing.

Case Title: Review Application no. 89 of 2019