Kerala High Court Issues Directions To Prevent Dumping Of Waste In Public Places, Set Up Plastic Bottle Collection Booths & Create Awareness In Schools

The Division Bench comprising Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas and Justice Gopinath P. sought instructions from the state government about the steps taken to sensitize school students to avoid dumping waste in public places. The Court has also sought a report from Kochi Municipal Corporation about the steps to clear waste from canals and its sides to reduce flooding in the city.

The directions issued by the Court are as follows:

1. The local authorities are to be instructed by State Government to identify and set up plastic bottle collection booths
2. To place on record the details including flow chart for the mode of removal of plastic from collection booths till its disposal
3. To apprise the Court about steps taken by the government to sensitize school students to avoid dumping waste in public places.
4. Place report before Court on waste disposal facilities available in six corporations and other districts in the State
5. To explore and identify measures to remove silt accumulating at outlets of Thevara-Perandoor Canal
6. Kochi Corporation is directed to submit a report on steps taken to clear waste from canals and its sides in Kochi. The report shall also include steps taken to prevent waste from being dumped into canals and backwaters by commercial and residential complexes.

The Court passed the above directions in the suo moto proceedings initiated by the High Court after the fire at the Brahmapuram dumping yard at Cochin City. Thereafter, the High Court constituted a special bench for considering matters relating to Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 (MSW Rules).

The Court observed that 4 lakh tonnes of legacy waste have been stabilized and almost 2.72 lakh tonnes of legacy waste processed through bio-mining.

Regarding the setting up of plastic bottle collection booths, the Court was apprised that around 36,000 collection booths have been set up in various parts of the State, including tourist destinations.

Sarada Muraleedharan, Additional Chief Secretary who appeared online before the Court has informed the Court that the government is taking steps to sensitize the public against dumping of waste onto public properties. 

The Court was informed that orders have been issued to the General Education Department to initiate and spread awareness from the school level onwards. The Court was given assurance that awareness sessions in schools will be given from the academic year 2024-25 onwards.

The matter has been posted for further hearing on June 14, 2024.

Case Title: Suo Moto v State of Kerala

Case Number: WP (C) 7844/2023

Click here to read/download Order