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Once again, full ban on plastic bags is going to be implemented


Ban implemented

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Environment Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) Punjab has reaffirmed its determination to eradicate plastic bags from the district, declaring a complete prohibition on all forms of shopping and polythene bags effective from June 5.

This decisive action aims to stamp out plastic bags and counter the dangers they pose to human life, wildlife, and aquatic environments.

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The announcement was made during an awareness session held on Earth Day, attended by schoolchildren. In partnership with Murree Brewery, Attock Oil Refinery, and the National Cleaner Production Centre, the initiative seeks to champion environmental conservation efforts.

Present at the event were Deputy Director of the Environment Protection Agency, Maria Safeer, alongside assistant directors Anza Niazi, Namra Tariq, Romaisa Babar, and Inspector Inamul Haq.

Under the theme ‘Plastic vs. Earth’, this year’s Earth Day campaign aims to tackle the urgent issue of plastic pollution. EPA Rawalpindi has distributed cloth bags to children and shops across the city to promote eco-friendly alternatives. Banners advocating against plastic usage have been prominently displayed throughout the city to raise public awareness.

In accordance with Punjab government regulations, a sweeping ban has been imposed not only on the sale of plastic bags less than 75 microns but also on various plastic items, including disposables and multi-layer packaging plastic products listed in Schedules 1 and 2 of the Punjab Single-Use Plastic Products Regulation 2023. Stringent penalties and imprisonment await violators.

Furthermore, all plastic manufacturers, collectors, and recyclers across the province are required to register with the Punjab Environment Protection and Climate Change Department to ensure accountability and regulation.

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Plastic pollution poses a significant threat to land, water, and air quality, exacerbating environmental degradation. Its adverse effects on human health, including cancer and the ingestion of microplastics present in food, underscore the urgency of addressing this issue.

The deputy director stressed the individual responsibility to opt for cloth bags over plastic ones and choose steel or other environmentally friendly alternatives for food consumption.

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