Notice on use of PET bottles at TASMAC shops

The vacation bench comprising Justice M S Ramesh and Justice G R Swaminathan before whom the public interest litigation was moved by S Prathab came up for hearing on Thursday, ordered notice.

The petitioner had contended that since the commencement of selling Indian made foreign spirit bottles at TASMAC, only glass bottles were used and the same was is vogue until last year. But, recently TASMAC has been using plastic bottles.

Listing out the lack of pollution and employment generation by using glass bottles, the petitioner submitted that plastics could prove to be carcinogenic and even promote endocrine disruption.

Moreover, with no scope remaining in recycling PET bottles, persons after consuming liquor are bound to throw them in the garbage.

This would result in polluting land and water. If it was burnt, it would pollute the air, which is another health hazard, said the petitioner.

He also noted that over 11 States in the country have passed orders restricting the manufacture of PET bottles. He also said that the Maharashtra Government has banned plastic packaged drinking water bottles in Government offices, schools and colleges. He submitted that wine and spirit are being stored in glass bottles to maintain good taste, since plastic can impact flavours in the liquids it comes into contact with.

The plea further claimed that though the State Government had come up with the notification allowing plastic bottles in 1996, it was unable to implement it owing to objection from all corners.

It also noted that the impugned GO is illegal and unconstitutional because the permission for the use of PET bottles is hazardous to health directly and indirectly affecting the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution.