The National Green Tribunal on Thursday directed the Environment Ministry to give serious consideration towards formulating a system for environment-friendly disposal of compact fluorescent lamps (CFls).
Voicing displeasure, a bench headed by Justice UD Salvi, directed the Ministry Joint Secretary to personally appear before the court on the next date of hearing with a definite plan. NGT had earlier asked the Ministry to arrive at a rational approach for devising a definite system. The next hearing has been scheduled for January 6.
The Tribunal was hearing a plea filed by NGO Toxic links on “unregulated and unrestricted disposal of CFl” The plea said that such indiscriminate disposal was leading to contamination of environment and human health.
CFl bulbs that contain mercury, is known to be a hazardous substance and an environment pollutant as per provisions under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.The NGO had earlier sought directions to frame standards of mercury content in CFls in accordance with international norms.
The petition contended that by not formulating definite standards for disposal of CFl bulbs, it is increasing both environmental pollution and exposing public health to a very hazardous toxic, thus violating Article 48-A and 47 of the Constitution.
To this the green bench pointed out that had the Joint Secretary Environment Ministry been present , “we could have understood the problem better and could have extended our help in setting things right. However, none from the Ministry, barring its counsel who appears to be scarcely briefed is present before us.”
The green panel further warned the Environment Ministry saying, “we hope and trust that he (Joint Secretary) may not create a situation which may force us to take coercive measures.”
The plea further called upon the green bench to ensure safe disposal of mercury bearing waste in CFls in accordance with the concept of the Extended Producers Responsibility and the Khwaja Committee Report under Environment Ministry. The report gives guidelines on sustainable waste management by reducing, reusing, recycling, recovering, treating and disposing whatever waste is produced.