JUDGMENT :

S. RAVINDRA BHAT, J.

1. These appeals were heard finally, with the consent of the parties. The appellants are aggrieved by a common judgment¹[Judgment dated 11.07.2019 in WP No. 3984/2019.] of the Madras High Court, by which their writ petitions challenging a government order²[G.O.Ms No. 84 dated 25.06.2018 w.e.f. 01.01.2019 (hereafter referred to as ‘Government Order’).] banning manufacture, storage, supply, transport, sale, distribution, and use of ‘one time use and throwaway plastics’, was dismissed. The appellants before this court are an association representing manufacturing units involved in the manufacture of ‘reinforced’ paper cups, and a manufacturer of non-woven plastic bags, respectively.

Facts

2. The Environment and Forest Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu issued the Government Order in question, in exercise of its power under Section 5 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986 (‘EPA’) on 25.06.2018 and it was to take effect from 01.01.2019. The Government Order included directions, banning manufacture, storage, supply, transport, sale, distribution, or use of “use and throwaway plastics” – which as per Explanation 2, included plastic carry bags, plastic