Draft on plastic bags finalized

Measures are being taken to give a time frame to the industries associated with polythene bags

LAHORE: The Environment Protection Department (EPD) has finalised a draft of law regarding a ban on polythene bags which are a major cause for environmental pollution in the province. Speaking to APP, an official from the department stated that work on preparing the draft has been completed and sent to the cabinet division. It will soon be presented for approval, he added. He said that various suggestions have been prepared by the department in order to eliminate plastic bags from the province in phases. The officials said that since banning polythene bags was sub judice, the draft has been prepared in consultation with stakeholders. The provincial cabinet would consider the suggestions while deciding on imposing a ban on polythene bags, he said and added that measures are also being taken to give a time frame to the industries associated with polythene bags so that they are not affected.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 20^th, 2019.