Gazette to enforce charges for polythene bags from November 1

Plastic bags or polythene has resulted in many detrimental environmental effects including animals choking, pollution, blockage of channels, rivers, and streams, and landscape disfigurement 

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda  

The Ministry of Environment and other authorities yesterday assured the Supreme Court that a gazette notification will be issued, effective from November 1, requiring traders to charge consumers for polyethylene bags issued at the point of purchase.  

Deputy Solicitor General Awanthi Perera, appearing for the Attorney General, made the announcement when a Fundamental Rights petition filed by the Centre for Environmental Justice was heard before a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court, comprising Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena, Justice Kumudini Wickremasinghe, and Justice Sampath Abayakoon.  

The petitioner alleged that the authorities had failed to honour a previous undertaking given to the Court on March 28, 2024, regarding the regulation of polythene use. They are seeking an order directing the government to establish practical measures to curb both the production of polythene and the use of single-use plastics, citing their severe environmental impact.  

On March 28, 2024, the Attorney General had informed Supreme Court that the Consumers Affairs Authority would withdraw its gazette notification issued directing all traders not to charge for polyethylene bags issued to consumers when they are purchasing goods.  

The petitioner stated that plastic bags or polythene has resulted in many detrimental environmental effects including animals choking, pollution, blockage of channels, rivers, and streams, and landscape disfigurement.

Senior Counsel Ravindranath Dabare appeared for the petitioner.