2024

Exchange

Tax

Cars

EPA crackdown on single-use plastics begins in Punjab, Islamabad


crackdown

By Masooma Sherazi

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Pakistan has started the crackdown against single-use plastics all across Punjab and the capital Islamabad. The EPA-Pak has activated all district bodies in Punjab to enforce the crackdown against single-use plastics.

EPA Director General Imran Hamid Sheikh issued a directive to the 12-member committees, led by the Deputy Commissioners, to initiate action against plastic waste. The committee members will offer regulatory support and facilities to the businesses that are producing single-use plastics, to move towards more environment friendly alternatives.

Also read: Plastic bags under 75 microns to be confiscated in Rawalpindi from December 10

These committees were formed as a result of the amended Punjab Environmental Protection (Production and Consumption of Single-Use Plastic Product) Regulations 2023.

According to the DG’s directive, the committees will also hold consultations with the stakeholders to find solutions for plastic waste management, and to work on alternatives to single-use plastics.

The Deputy Commissioners will also take on board the District Police Officers, and will work in coordination with the Punjab Industries, Commerce & Investment Department and Punjab Food Authority. Members of local chambers of commerce and market committees will also be consulted for this drive against single-use plastics.

The amended regulations on single-use plastics also include administrative penalties and schedule of fines ranging from Rs5,000 to Rs50,000. The violators will be issued notices and if violations are continued, penalties will be imposed on them seven days after the notices have been issued.

Moreover, if the banned single-use plastic is found at any location, the premises may be sealed and the material be confiscated, as per the amended regulations.

CRACKDOWN IN ISLAMABAD TODAY

The EPA Pakistan enforcement team along with Islamabad Capital Administration team cracked down on single-use plastics in Islamabad, EPA Director Labs Zaigham Awan told HUM News English.

The teams jointly carried out a field operation against single-use plastic items and polythene bags in F-10 Markaz, Islamabad.

Also read: Use of plastic bags continues in Lahore despite ban

During the inspection, the teams visited various local establishments, including bakeries, wholesale plastic bag suppliers, and other local plastic and packaging item vendors. The team also paid visits to restaurants, and dry fruit and vegetables merchants, EPA said in a statement on Tuesday.

As a result of today’s drive, approximately 28 kilograms of single-use plastics were confiscated in the operation, the statement said.

The enforcement team imposed fines totaling Rs10,000 on shop owners and sellers violating the laws against single-use plastics. The team also issued eight warning notices to sellers, shop owners, and consumers in violation of the regulations.

You May Also Like