Kerala HC bans use and sale of single-use plastics from October 2

IANS June 18, 2025 340 views

The Kerala High Court has imposed a ban on single-use plastics, effective October 2, to combat pollution. The ruling targets tourist spots, government functions, and hospitality sectors while exempting larger water and soft drink bottles. Authorities must set up water kiosks and promote reusable alternatives. The court emphasized protecting public health and the environment from plastic waste.

"The orders were necessary to protect the fundamental right of the public to have a safe and clean environment." - Kerala High Court
Kochi, June 17: The Kerala High Court on Tuesday issued a set of directions banning the use and sale of single-use plastics in the State, which will come into effect on October 2 this year.

Key Points

1

Kerala HC bans plastic food containers, cups, and straws in tourist zones

2

Exempts 5L water and 2L soft drink bottles

3

Restrictions apply to govt events, hotels, and weddings

4

Mandates water kiosks in hilly areas

This order was passed by the Special Bench of Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas and Justice P. Gopinath, which was monitoring the waste management in the State.

The Court said that the orders were necessary to protect the fundamental right of the public to have a safe and clean environment.

The use and sale of single-use plastics, including plastic food containers, plastic plates, plastic cups, plastic straws, plastic sachets, and plastic bakery boxes, are banned in the hilly tourist areas of the State with high footfall.

However, this ban shall not apply to 5-litre plastic water bottles and 2-litre plastic soft drink bottles.

The Court also directed that the use of plastic water bottles of less than 5 litres, plastic soft drink bottles of less than 2 litres, plastic straws, plastic plates, plastic cups, and plastic cutlery is hereby banned in all the official Central/State government functions in the state.

Likewise, the ban also includes the use of plastic water bottles of less than 5 litres, plastic soft drink bottles of less than 2 litres, plastic straws, plastic plates, plastic cups, and plastic cutlery in all weddings, auditoriums, restaurants, and hotels in the state.

The High Court directed that the prohibition of plastic water bottles of less than 5 litres, plastic soft drink bottles of less than 2 litres, plastic straws, plastic plates, plastic cups, plastic cutlery shall be made a condition while granting a license to hotels, auditoriums.

The Court further directed that sufficient water kiosks should be set up at different locations in hilly tourist areas to provide clean and safe drinking water.

Alternate methods of providing water through glass bottles or kiosks should be made.

Tourists shall be prevented from carrying single-use plastics to hilly areas, and they should be encouraged to carry their own water bottles, which are not made from single-use plastic.

The Court also directed the State and Local Self Government to take appropriate steps to prevent the dumping of plastic waste into rivers, canals and backwaters.

The state has also been asked to spread public awareness on the harmful effects of single-use plastic and the dumping of plastic waste.

Reader Comments

P
Priya K.
Finally! Kerala is showing the way forward for sustainable living. Our backwaters and hills were drowning in plastic waste. Hope other states follow suit soon. 🌱
R
Rahul M.
Good initiative but implementation will be tough. What about small tea shops and street vendors? The government should provide affordable alternatives first.
A
Ananya S.
As someone who visited Munnar last year, I was shocked to see plastic waste everywhere. This ban is much needed to protect Kerala's natural beauty. Tourists should be more responsible too!
V
Vikram J.
Why exempt 5-liter bottles? Big plastic is still plastic! The court should have gone for a complete ban. Half measures won't solve the pollution crisis.
S
Sunita P.
Excellent decision! Our grandmothers used to carry steel dabbas and cloth bags. Time to revive those sustainable traditions. Kerala setting an example for Swachh Bharat!
K
Karthik R.
The water kiosk idea is brilliant! But will the government maintain them properly? In my hometown, such initiatives start well but fail due to poor maintenance.
M
Meena L.
Plastic ban is good, but what about proper waste management systems? Without better garbage collection and recycling, we're just shifting the problem elsewhere.

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Kerala High Court single-use plastic ban waste management Bechu Kurian Thomas P. Gopinath pollution control