Green Tribunal issues notice to Gutkha, Pan Masala units for violating Plastic Waste Rules

Rule 4(f) and 4(i) of Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 says:-

–Sachets using plastic material shall not be used for storing, packing or selling gutkha, tobacco andnpan masala.

–Plastic material, in any form including Vinyl Acetate – Maleic Acid – Vinyl Chloride Copolymer, shall not be used in any package for packaging gutkha, pan masala and tobacco in all forms.

New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal (NGT), has issued a notice over the alleged non-compliance of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, by Gutkha and Pan Masala manufacturers.

In response to a petition demanding strict enforcement of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, the NGT directed the immediate closure of 25 such manufacturing units using banned plastic packaging and required them to submit action plans to switch to environmentally sound alternatives.

They were also ordered to deposit environmental compensation (EC) with CPCB, failing which interest and penalties would apply.

A petition filed by advocates Anuj Aggarwal and others pointed to violations of Rule 4(f) and 4(i), which prohibit the use of plastic sachets for packaging tobacco-related products. The petition also alleged non-compliance with CPCB’s 2021 closure orders and environmental compensation guidelines.

The Tribunal led by Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Dr. A. Senthil Vel, observed that the matter involves substantial environmental issues and directed the respondents, including the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), to respond within four weeks.

The applicant has also been directed to complete service and submit an affidavit before the next hearing, on 26 Sept. 2025.

Notably, the Central Pollution Control Board had earlier ordered closures of 25 units in 2021 and imposed environmental compensation—none of which has been fully implemented.

“This is a crucial environmental battle. These manufacturers are under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) obligations but are openly ignoring them,” said the applicant’s counsel.

The case is poised to test the enforcement of extended producer responsibility (EPR) norms in India, especially for industries long-criticized for circumventing environmental regulations.