Eliminating polythene bags

Despite being an environmental hazard, polythene bags are widely used across the country. Their unabated use has contributed to the deterioration of sewerage systems and infrastructure in cities across the country. In a bid to eliminate plastic bags, a parliamentary committee has directed the Ministry of Climate Change to seal all factories manufacturing plastic bags and provide a list of shops and factories, which were penalised for violating environmental laws.

Plastic bags choke storm and sewerage drains resulting in urban flooding during the monsoon season. This also harms the road infrastructure. In the past, plastic ban efforts have borne little fruit, but this time the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has been asked to act strictly against shop owners using polythene bags in the federal territory. Poor implementation of policies, authoritative negligence and a lack of awareness are some of the reasons for policy failures. A media campaign informing people about the environmental hazards and the ban may encourage people to give up on polythene bags and resort to alternative sustainable options such as paper or reusable cloth bags. Perhaps, retailers and supermarket owners could be made active stakeholders in the process. Not only can this help with eradicating plastic bags but also familiarise customers with more sustainable practices.

The ban is bound to draw ire from plastic bag manufacturers who face a threat to their livelihoods. However, the relevant bodies can take this as an opportunity to introduce manufacturers to environment-friendly alternatives. Crucially, the ban should not be limited to the capital alone and must be extended across the country as plastic pollution is a country-wide problem. The relevant authorities must address the burgeoning plastic waste issue by imposing fines on retailers and additional charges on customers for purchasing polythene bags.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 28^th, 2023.

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