The bench further inquired, “Are you sure plastic flowers cannot be included in this list?” This was in response to the Centre’s position that plastic flowers were not part of the banned items.
Bombay: Today, 12th Feb, The Bombay High Court has asked the Union government “why plastic flowers were not included in the list of banned single-use plastic items“.
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A division bench comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Bharati Dangre questioned whether plastic flowers could be recycled or if they were biodegradable.
During the hearing, the court raised concerns about the Union government’s affidavit, which stated that plastic flowers were not included in the ban.
The bench asked, “Is the Union government sure that plastic flowers can be recycled, or that they are biodegradable? They are so flimsy. Can they be recycled?” The judges referred to government notifications that prohibit single-use plastics that cannot be recycled or decomposed.
The bench further inquired, “Are you sure plastic flowers cannot be included in this list?” This was in response to the Centre’s position that plastic flowers were not part of the banned items.
The petition was filed by the Growers’ Flower Council of India (GFCI), urging the court to direct the government to ban plastic flowers. The petition stated that plastic flowers used for decoration are usually 30 microns thick. According to notifications issued by both the central and Maharashtra governments, single-use plastic items below 100 microns in thickness are banned.
However, these notifications do not explicitly mention plastic flowers. The petition argued that plastic flowers with a thickness below 100 microns should also be prohibited.
The High Court has instructed the Growers’ Flower Council of India to submit a reply to the Centre’s affidavit within two weeks. The case highlights the growing concerns over plastic pollution and the need for stricter enforcement of environmental regulations.
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According to its official website, the Growers’ Flower Council of India is an “association of independent growers, exporters of cut-flowers and ornamentals, input suppliers, florists, wedding decorators and each beneficiary in the chain of flower consumption by end users.”
