On July 24, 2024, the High Court issued a circular banning “single-use plastic bottles and bags” within its premises to reduce plastic waste. However, the advocates contend that this well-intentioned rule has caused significant inconvenience to litigants, lawyers, and visitors, including senior citizens and those traveling long distances, who are forced to discard their plastic bottles at the court’s entry points.
Bombay: Today (11th Dec): A group of approximately 150 advocates from the Bombay Bar has written to the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court, urging the revocation of the recently imposed ban on single-use plastic bottles at the High Court premises. The advocates have proposed a more phased and practical implementation of such measures.
On July 24, 2024, the High Court issued a circular banning “single-use plastic bottles and bags” within its premises to reduce plastic waste. However, the advocates contend that this well-intentioned rule has caused significant inconvenience to litigants, lawyers, and visitors, including senior citizens and those traveling long distances, who are forced to discard their plastic bottles at the court’s entry points.
“Following the directives of Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya, the use of single-use plastic bottles and bags has been prohibited within the High Court premises effective immediately,” stated a circular issued by the Registrar General of the High Court.
This measure aligns with Maharashtra’s broader efforts to combat plastic pollution. In March 2018, the state government implemented a sweeping ban on the manufacture, sale, and use of plastic bags and disposable plastic products. The High Court’s recent decision highlights its dedication to environmental conservation and serves as a model for other institutions to follow.
The prohibition of single-use plastics within the High Court is expected to significantly reduce plastic waste and promote sustainable practices among court staff, legal professionals, and visitors.
The letter highlights that the ban has not been adequately publicized, with no visible notifications on the High Court’s website or gates. It also raises concerns about the lack of sufficient alternate sources of safe drinking water within the premises.
Existing water filters are often located outdoors and exposed to contaminants, and their safety is questionable. The only bottled water available for purchase—a 300 ml glass bottle priced at Rs50—remains unaffordable for most visitors.
Ironically, the ban has reportedly increased plastic waste at the High Court due to the confiscation and disposal of water bottles at the gates, many of which would have been reused before eventual disposal.
The advocates suggest that regulating the production and sale of single-use plastic would be a more effective approach than prohibiting its possession. They have also requested the installation of accessible and safe drinking water sources to mitigate the difficulties faced by visitors.
In light of these issues, the signatories have appealed for the ban’s revocation and a more practical and inclusive strategy to address plastic waste reduction at the High Court.
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