Thu Jul 17 13:20:34 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:

**Apollo Tyres Cleared, But Must Strengthen Waste Management, Says Green Tribunal**

**Chennai, India – July 17, 2025** – The Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed Apollo Tyres Limited to strictly adhere to plastic waste management regulations and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) norms. This ruling came in response to a petition alleging improper disposal of used plastic jumbo bags containing traces of carbon black, a key ingredient in tyre manufacturing.

J. Parthiban of Tiruvallur filed the original petition, claiming that the discarded bags were being sold in local markets and repurposed for uses like storing cattle feed and roofing, potentially leading to health hazards and contamination.

Apollo Tyres refuted the allegations, stating that the carbon black is non-hazardous and that all empty bags are thoroughly cleaned and sent to a registered recycler, M/s. Jeeva Enterprises. The company further explained it ceased reusing the bags in 2022 due to supplier concerns, and has been actively ensuring proper recycling through authorized channels.

The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) confirmed Apollo Tyres possesses a valid operating consent and follows zero liquid discharge practices.

While the NGT concluded that Apollo Tyres hadn’t violated existing environmental norms, the bench, led by Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana, instructed the company to fully implement the guidelines issued by the Central Pollution Control Board and uphold its own commitment to responsible waste management. As part of this commitment, Apollo Tyres has stated it will cut and clean the bags before sending them to recyclers to prevent unauthorized reuse, even though it will increase operational costs. The Tribunal emphasized the importance of adhering to EPR norms to prevent future environmental concerns.

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