The Punjab government has imposed a strict ban on the manufacturing, sale, and use of single-use plastic shopping bags and polythene bags with a thickness of less than 75 microns. The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) Punjab, in coordination with the Punjab Food Authority, is conducting crackdowns to ensure compliance among retailers and manufacturers.
Scope of the Ban and Penalties
The ban covers polythene shopping bags under 75 microns, various single-use disposable plastics, multi-layer packaging, and polystyrene. According to EPA official sources, violations can result in heavy administrative fines ranging from Rs5,000 to Rs50,000 for shopkeepers, immediate sealing of businesses, and confiscation of plastic inventory. Manufacturers face substantially higher consequences for non-compliance.
Launch of Skimming Boat for Plastic Waste Removal
In a major step toward tackling plastic pollution, the EPA Punjab has launched its first skimming boat designed to remove plastic waste from canals and rivers. The boat will begin operations as a pilot project in the Lahore Canal, marking the introduction of a technology-based solution to address water pollution in the province.
EPA Punjab officials said the skimming boat, equipped with a waste collection bin installed at its front, will play a vital role in collecting floating plastic waste from waterways. This initiative supports the province's broader campaign against plastic pollution.
Pilot Project and Future Expansion
The pilot project will help assess the effectiveness of the technology before its potential expansion to other canals and rivers across Punjab. EPA Punjab’s Director General Dr. Imran Hamid Sheikh emphasized that practical measures are essential to eliminate plastic pollution. He added that the real challenge begins after the pledges, as commitments need to be translated into concrete action.
Dr. Sheikh reaffirmed the EPA's determination to eliminate banned single-use plastic bags from Punjab. He stated that enforcement teams and special squads will continue operations against violators across the province.
