The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Punjab has been implementing effective measures to make the province plastic-free, aligning with the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. Addressing a press conference, EPA Director General Dr Imran Hamid Sheikh stated that starting from June, district headquarters across the province will be made free of single-use plastics in a phased manner. He emphasized that Rawalpindi will be the first district headquarters to achieve the complete elimination of single-use plastic.
Regulations and Enforcement
Dr Sheikh highlighted that clear laws and regulations are in place regarding the ban on single-use plastic bags. Under these regulations, violators are facing fines, sealing of premises, and other legal actions. The department has adopted a phased strategy to ensure that business activities are not negatively impacted by efforts to curb single-use plastic. With the cooperation of stakeholders and industrialists, environment-friendly plastic bags with a thickness of more than 75 microns are available in the market, and their use is being encouraged.
Plastic-Free Zones and Expansion
The EPA Director General announced that development of dedicated plastic-free zones is underway in Rawalpindi, with plans to expand the initiative to traditional markets to ensure effective enforcement city-wide. Dr Imran Hamid Sheikh lauded the efforts of the district administration, the environment agency, and other relevant institutions. He expressed his resolve that with the cooperation of traders, industrialists, and the general public, the goal of making Punjab plastic-free will be achieved soon. The official further said that government model bazaars have already been made plastic-free. On the instructions of Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, specific zones will be established across Punjab as part of the anti-single-use plastic bag campaign.
Health and Environmental Impacts
Action is being taken against those who obstruct the anti-plastic efforts. So far, fines totaling Rs15 million have been imposed across Punjab. Single-use plastic bags cannot be reused and are extremely harmful to health. These plastics are harming animals on land and fish in the water. The bags break down into micro-plastics. Research has already detected micro-plastic particles in meat samples. Once micro-plastics enter the human bloodstream, they become a primary cause of various diseases. Research conducted by Punjab University has confirmed the presence of micro-plastics in meat samples, the DG said.
