No selling beer, wine in recycled bottles: HC

In view of a recent Bombay high court order, it has become mandatory for beer and wine manufacturers to use new bottles for packaging their beverages instead of recycled ones.

In view of a recent Bombay high court order, it has become mandatory for beer and wine manufacturers to use new bottles for packaging their beverages instead of recycled ones.

HT Image

The state government has now assured the court that the rule would be implemented strictly with respect to all manufacturers of beer. The assistant government pleader Vinay Sonpal has stated that appropriate action would be taken against errant manufacturers.

A division bench of justice DD Sinha and justice VK Tahilramani observed that authorities are required to implement rules in letter and spirit and take action for violations.

“From the hygiene point of view it is reasonable. But are you applying it to all manufacturers?” the court asked earlier.

The order has come in response to a petition filed by Hindustan Breweries and Bottling Limited seeking to quash this rule because only they were being made to toe the line while other manufacturers continued to package beverages in recycled bottles. The petitioner said beer manufacturers saved crores of rupees by resorting to recycling.

The petition states that though Rule 11(5) of the Maharashtra Manufacture of Beer and Wine Rules, 1966 stipulates use of new bottles, all breweries in Maharashtra have been using recycled empty bottles, as they are economical and easily available in the market.