EPA cracks down on plastic bags

Islamabad Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has Imposed fines totalling Rs210,000 and confiscated up to 200 kg of plastic bags just this year. “The EPA is determined to make the federal capital a plastic-bag free city as the regulator authority issued Rs70,000 fine during the month of March,” said EPA Deputy Director Sadia Munawar.

Munawar said there were four teams paying surprise visits at various markets in the capital city and in issuing penalties to violators. She said, "The EPA strives to make Islamabad a plastic bags-free city as we seized thousands of plastic bags and imposed fines of Rs560,000 to the violators in 2021.".

The EPA official claimed, “No mercy would be shown for culprits who sell or used plastic bags including citizens.” A ticket of Rs10,000 would be charged to a shopkeeper who sells goods in plastic bags and Rs100,000 would be fined to plastic bags manufacturers and this amount would be doubled if the same shopkeeper and manufacturer is caught again. "Campaign of plastic bags free city is not limited to shopkeepers and manufacturers as EPA has decided to impose fines on citizens. Rs5000 would be a charge to a person if the authority finds him with a plastic bag," she warned the citizens of Islamabad.

“Polythene and plastic bags are really hazardous to ecosystem as it takes thousands of years to degrade in soil, which was dangerous for human and animals and may cause choked drains that prompt urban flooding.”

 The EPA plans to start collaborations with ministry and city administration officials. She commented they are ready to launch a joint venture to convert confiscated polythene and plastic bags into desks and benches for the students at Islamabad's schools.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 1^st, 2022.