The Federal Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination has taken a significant step to combat environmental pollution by imposing an immediate ban on the use of 'single-use plastic' in the federal capital.
Official sources revealed that the ministry has directed authorities to strictly enforce heavy fines on the use, sale, and supply of single-use plastic items. The ban is set to be effective from August 1 in Islamabad, and violators will face immediate penalties.
The department concerned has declared the use, manufacture, import, distribution, delivery, sale, storage, and purchase of single-use plastic as strictly prohibited. This includes single-use bags, plastic crockery, cutlery items such as spoons, forks, knives, chopsticks, food service boxes, cups, plates, and bowls.
These items will no longer be permitted in hotels, stalls, parks, or entertainment venues, and anyone found using them will be held accountable.
The penalties for producers and importers of single-use plastic have been set at a fine of Rs1 million, while shopkeepers, stall holders, hawkers, and suppliers selling such items will be fined Rs10,000.
Citizens caught using such items in parks and on roads will face an on-the-spot fine of Rs1,000.
In preparation for the ban's enforcement, the Ministry of Climate Change has instructed the Environmental Protection Agency to initiate an awareness campaign and issue warnings regarding the forthcoming penalties and fines.
The campaign will begin on August 1, with stern warnings initially issued to offenders. For subsequent violations, challans and fines will be imposed to ensure strict compliance with the ban.
Senior Research Officer of the Environment Protection Department in Rawalpindi, Mohammad Amin Baig, stated that this ban was already implemented in Punjab from July 1.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 24th, 2023.
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