NGT asks Tamil Nadu government to consider alternatives for Aavin’s plastic milk packets
The Hindu
TN govt asked to consider alternative packaging material for Aavin's milk packets by NGT. Move to restrict plastic entering landfill & waterbodies. TNPCB found 150 metric tons of waste at Aavin's Ambattur factory. NGT suo moto impleaded Additional Chief Secy to Depts of Environment, Climate Change & Forests.
The southern bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered the Tamil Nadu government to consider the feasibility of using alternative packaging material for Aavin’s milk packets.
Hearing a petition filed by S.P.Surendranath Karthik, the NGT had earlier asked the Tamilnadu Co-operative Milk Producers Federation Ltd., which owns Aavin, to file an action plan to handle empty milk sachets and recycle them as per the Extended Producer Responsibility.
An inspection carried out by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board in July at Aavin’s Ambattur factory revealed 150 metric tons of waste comprising used crates, butter cartons, milk sachets, damaged pet bottles and ice cream containers were stored in four locations. Subsequently, Aavin submitted before the Tribunal that the waste was cleared and sent to recycling units.
On November 2, the bench comprising Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana and expert member Satyagopal Korlapati suo moto impleaded the Additional Chief Secretary to Departments of Environment, Climate Change and Forests noting that this is a larger issue where the supply of milk is distributed in plastic sachets.
“Let the State government consider whether the plastic sachet can be substituted by any other material viz., glass bottles/reusable or recyclable plastic bottles/ biodegradable or compostable material/any other better material,” the bench ordered and stated that the move is only to restrict the plastic entering the landfill and waterbodies.
Almaya Munnettam (Lay People to the Fore), group in the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese of the Syro-Malabar Church opposed to the synod-recommended Mass, rejected a circular issued by Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil and apostolic administrator Bosco Puthur on June 9 to implement the unified Mass in the archdiocese from July 3.
Pakistan coach Gary Kirsten stated that “not so great decision making” contributed to his side’s defeat to India in the Group-A T20 World Cup clash here on Sunday. The batting unit came apart in the chase, after being well placed at 72 for two. With 48 runs needed from eight overs, Pakistan found a way to panic and lose. “Maybe not so great decision making,” Kirsten said at the post-match press conference, when asked to explain the loss.