Why are plastic flowers still legal? Bombay HC questions centre's exemption
The Bombay High Court questioned the Centre on why plastic flowers were not included in the banned single-use plastic items, raising concerns over their recyclability and environmental impact.
Maharashtra: The Bombay High Court on Wednesday challenged the Centre’s decision to exclude plastic flowers from the list of banned single-use plastics. A division bench, led by Chief Justice Alok Aradhe, questioned if the government believed these synthetic flowers were biodegradable or recyclable. The court directed the petitioner, Growers' Flower Council of India (GFCI), to file an affidavit within two weeks in response to the Centre’s stand.
Why are plastic flowers still legal?
The Bombay High Court on Wednesday questioned the Union government’s decision to exempt plastic flowers from the list of banned single-use plastic items, demanding clarity on whether they were recyclable or biodegradable.
Concerns over the environmental impact of plastic flowers
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Bharati Dangre raised concerns over the environmental impact of plastic flowers, which are widely used for decorations despite their flimsy nature. The court referred to government notifications stating that all non-recyclable and non-biodegradable plastics should be banned.
"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 court asked, challenging the Centre’s affidavit which did not include plastic flowers in the prohibition list.
Growers' flower council of India
The petition, filed by the Growers’ Flower Council of India (GFCI), demanded that plastic flowers with a thickness below 100 microns be banned, aligning with existing prohibitions on other thin plastic items. The plea highlighted that most plastic flowers used for decoration are typically 30 microns thick far below the limit set by various central and state notifications.
The court directed the petitioner organization to submit an affidavit within two weeks in response to the Centre’s stance. This legal scrutiny comes amid growing calls for stricter enforcement of plastic bans to curb pollution and environmental degradation.
