Kerala High Court bans single-use plastic in hilly areas, plastic bottles at weddings, official events

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday ordered a ban on single-use plastic in hilly tourist destinations as well as restrictions on the use of plastic bottles at large gatherings, including weddings and official government functions. [Suo Motu v State of Kerala].

A Division Bench of Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas and Justice P Gopinath added that the ban will take effect from October 2, 2025 (Gandhi Jayanthi), giving the State government time to take necessary steps.

The Court clarified that the ban on plastic bottles applies to water bottles with a carrying capacity of less than 5 litres and soda bottles that carry less than 2 litres.

"Use and sale of single-use plastics including plastic food containers, plastic plates, plastic cups, plastic straws, plastic sachets, plastic bakery boxes are hereby banned in the hilly tourist areas of the State that are specified in the table in the order, i.e. those hilly destinations with high footfall. This ban shall not apply to 5 L plastic water bottles and 2 L plastic soft drink bottles," the Court said.

The directions were passed as part of a suo motu case initiated by the High Court to address waste management concerns, especially in tourist areas.

Key directions issued by the Court are given below:

- Sale and use of single-use plastic like food containers, plates, cups, straws, sachets, and bakery boxes in hilly tourist areas with high footfall banned; Water bottles with capacity to carry 5 litres and soft drink bottles with capacity of 2 litres (soft drinks) and above are exempt.

-The ban does not apply to non-woven bags of 60 GSM and above, as an appeal is pending in the High Court.

- Plastic water bottles with capacity below 5 litres, soft drink bottles with capacity below 2 litres, straws, plates, cups, and cutlery are banned at all Central and State government functions in Kerala.

- The same ban applies to weddings, hotels, restaurants, auditoriums, and similar venues. The Court added that the prohibitions in using single-use plastic shall be included as part of the licence conditions for these establishments.

- District administrations and local self government bodies must set up water kiosks and make alternatives like glass water bottles, copper water bottles etc., available for sale in hilly tourist areas at reasonable distances.

- Tourists should not carry single-use plastic into hilly destinations and must be encouraged to use reusable bottles.

- The State and local bodies must prevent dumping of plastic waste into rivers, canals, and backwaters and ensure regular collection of plastic waste from these water bodies.

- State authorities must run campaigns in visual and print media to spread awareness about the harmful effects of single-use plastic and promote alternatives.

- The Plastic Waste Management Rules and related laws must be strictly enforced across the State.

The Court also clarified that the ban does not apply to non-woven bags of 60 GSM and above, as an appeal is pending in the High Court.

The Court underscored that every individual has a fundamental right to a clean environment and that every citizen has a duty to protect and enhance the environment.

The Bench had earlier opined that the time had come to ban single-use plastic in hilly areas to prevent these regions from turning into plastic dump yards amid growing tourist footfall.

The Court today directed the Chief Secretary and the Special Secretary to the Local Self Government Department to coordinate the implementation of the plastic ban measures now ordered, along with the help of local bodies, the Pollution Control Board, and the State Police.

Special Government Pleader Unnikrishnan represented the State, Standing Counsel Janardhana Shenoy represented the Cochin Corporation, and Standing Counsel Suman Chakravarthi appeared for the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation.

The Special Secretary of the Local Self Government Department (LSGD) Anupama TV (IAS) also appeared, via video conference.

[Read Order]

[Read Live Coverage]