Mumbai: A group of 150 advocates from the Bar Associations has written to the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court urging the revocation of the recent ban on single-use plastic bottles inside the court premises. They have requested a phased implementation of such measures, citing significant hardships caused by the abrupt enforcement.
The circular banning single-use plastic bottles and bags, issued on July 24, 2024, aimed to reduce plastic waste. However, the advocates argue that the ban has led to unintended consequences for litigants, lawyers, and visitors.
“This rule, while undoubtedly well-intentioned, has caused significant hardship to litigants, lawyers, peons, clerks, and other visitors to the premises, and may in fact be counterproductive,” the letter stated.
The advocates pointed out that many visitors, including senior citizens and litigants traveling long distances, are forced to discard plastic bottles at the court gates. They also highlighted the lack of adequate public awareness, with no clear notice on the High Court’s website or at its gates regarding the ban.
The letter raised concerns over insufficient access to safe drinking water within the premises. While a few water filters are available, they are often outdoors, exposed to environmental contaminants, with no assurance of water quality.
“These water filters are typically outdoors, and the spouts are exposed to the elements (including to bird droppings and are also accessed by the feline residents of the high court),” the letter read. Moreover, the only bottled water available on-site is sold in 300 ml glass bottles at ₹50 each, making it unaffordable for many.
Ironically, the ban has led to an increase in plastic waste, as confiscated bottles are discarded in large quantities daily. The advocates argued that many of these bottles would otherwise have been reused multiple times.
The letter proposed alternative measures, such as regulating the production and sale of single-use plastic, instead of penalising possession. It also recommended the installation of more accessible and reliable drinking water facilities within the High Court premises.
The advocates have appealed to the Chief Justice to revoke the ban and adopt a more pragmatic approach to addressing plastic waste.
