Kochi: The Kerala High Court has banned the use of single-use plastic items at weddings and in popular hill stations including Munnar, Vagamon, Nelliyampathy, and Athirappilly. Items such as disposable plates, cups, straws, covers, and bakery boxes are now prohibited from use and sale in these areas.
The ban also extends to official functions, auditoriums, hotels, and restaurants, specifically targeting plastic water bottles under 5 litres and soft drink bottles under 2 litres, as well as plastic spoons, knives, and cups. The court directed that these restrictions be implemented from October 2, on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti.
The bench comprising Justices Bechu Kurian Thomas and P. Gopinath advised the state to make this part of licensing conditions for hotels. The court also urged authorities to set up drinking water kiosks and encourage the use of steel or copper tumblers. Local bodies are tasked with ensuring that plastic waste is not dumped into water bodies.
