TNPCB asks Aavin to clear 150 tonnes of plastic waste from Ambattur dairy premises

TNPCB team, which inspected the premises on July 17 on the direction of the NGT, found used crates, butter cartons, milk sachets, damaged plastic bottles and ice-cream containers dumped at four locations on the premises of the dairy

August 14, 2023 08:23 pm | Updated 08:24 pm IST - CHENNAI

The TNPCB has asked Aavin to apply obtain Extended Producers’ Responsibility registration and dispose the plastic waste in a scientific manner.

The TNPCB has asked Aavin to apply obtain Extended Producers’ Responsibility registration and dispose the plastic waste in a scientific manner. | Photo Credit: IMAGE FOR REPRESENTATIONAL PURPOSE ONLY

The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) has instructed the Tamil Nadu Cooperative Milk Producers Federation Ltd., which owns the Aavin brand, to remove 150 tonnes of plastic waste that accumulated on the premises of its Ambattur dairy.

During inspection on July 17, following a direction from the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the TNPCB found that 150 tonnes of waste comprising used crates, butter cartons, milk sachets, damaged plastic bottles and ice-cream containers were stored at four locations on the premises of the dairy.

Subsequently, the milk federation was asked to provide details on the quantity of waste generated and disposed in the past three years, details of plastic waste collector, plastic material supplier, action plans to remove the accumulated plastic and to handle waste in a closed shed. The TNPCB asked the federation to apply and obtain Extended Producers’ Responsibility registration.

The milk federation, in its response, told the TNPCB that the Ambattur dairy had a closed scrap yard area of 4,300 sq.ft. and an outside waste deposition area of 5,000 sq.ft.

In addition to seeking plans for handling waste, the TNPCB instructed the milk federation to dispose of plastic waste regularly to avoid accumulation and adopt a scientific manner such as baling to avoid the stored waste from dispersing in the wind. “The unit shall provide a closed storage area for plastic waste in addition to 4,300 sq.ft. storage area already available within the premises,” it said.

0 / 0
Sign in to unlock member-only benefits!
  • Access 10 free stories every month
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.