NGT Summons CPCB and Beverage Firms Over Detachable Bottle Caps

The National Green Tribunal on February 20, 2026 directed the Central Pollution Control Board, Coca-Cola India, Bisleri International, Hindustan Unilever, and PepsiCo India to respond to an application arguing that detachable plastic bottle caps cause environmental pollution because they are not collected with the bottles they seal. The NGT noted that other countries have adopted tethered cap designs that remain attached to bottles during the collection process.

The application to the NGT argued that while plastic bottles are generally collected under extended producer responsibility frameworks, their separate plastic caps fall outside collection systems, entering the environment as plastic waste. The tribunal issued notices requiring respondents to file responses at least one week before the next hearing, and ordered the matter to be listed alongside a related pending case on plastic waste collection and EPR regulation on February 26, 2026. The bench also noted that tethered cap standards have been adopted in other jurisdictions as a practical remedy.

In a separate matter, the NGT's central bench on February 18 reviewed the National Clean Air Programme launched in 2019 with an objective of reducing air pollution by 20-30 per cent by 2024 in non-attainment cities. The tribunal directed the Commissioner of Bhopal Municipal Corporation to file a compliance report on funds received under NCAP and expenditure across dust management, solid waste management, traffic management and air quality monitoring over the past five years. The court noted the absence of any response or compliance with its January 7, 2026 order and directed the Collector and Municipal Commissioner of Bhopal to appear at the next hearing on March 18, 2026.

In a third Delhi-related matter, the SDM for Model Town assured the NGT on February 20 that illegal borewells would be sealed, committing to plugging the borewell shafts with concrete after removing submersible pumps within two weeks. The court noted that photographs showed prior sealing had been done improperly, allowing the borewells to be operated without removing the seal. The NGT directed the SDM to submit a further report within three weeks. The combined hearings reflect ongoing NGT scrutiny of plastic waste management, urban air quality, and groundwater governance across Indian cities.

Key figure — NCAP targets 20-30% air pollution reduction by 2024 in non-attainment cities