Ministry seeks to ban single-use plastic

Says excess waste production in capital endangers its environment and wildlife

ISLAMABAD:

A campaign to rid the federal capital of single-use plastic waste is being planned by the authorities.

Given the increasing trend in inter-city migration towards Islamabad, the city’s growing population has led to excessive production of waste. Non-biodegradable waste, and plastic waste in particular has become a hazard to the capital’s environment.

Although, multiple governments have tried time and time again to address the plastic waste problem of Islamabad, the increase in commercial businesses alongside the growing populace, proves to be a recurring challenge.

Environmental pollution also remains a persistent issue in the city given its popularity as a tourist destination. Especially, in the holiday seasons, when Islamabad teems with visitors from all over the country, tourist hotspots become littered with single-use plastic packaging waste. Juice boxes and wrappers line the sides of roads and mar its lush green vistas, with the Margallas and parks being most affected.

The Margalla Hills, a designated national park and home to diverse wildlife, is of special concern as its ecosystem becomes endangered owing to waste pollution.

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination has announced its plan to take concrete steps against plastic pollution. The Ministry’s Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) has re-launched a campaign to ban the one-time use of plastics.

"The Ministry is spearheading the enforcement of Single-Use Plastics (Prohibition) Regulations, 2023 that bars manufacturing, importing, distribution, sale and use of single-use plastic items," remarked Pak-EPA, Director General, Farzana Altaf Shah. "This campaign is particularly focused on controlling plastic litter and promoting responsible consumer behaviour."

The Coordinator to the PM on Climate Change, Romina Khurshid Alam recently met with the members of the Collect and Recycle Alliance (CoRe), where she discussed the need for proactive steps such as designing effective social media strategies for awareness and the establishing collection and recycling points.

“The producers, importers, distributors, suppliers and beverage manufacturers actually have the most critical role in implementing awareness-raising measures outlined in Section 12 of the law," the PM's Coordinator had said. These measures include incentivising responsible consumer behaviour, promoting reusable alternatives, and educating consumers about the harmful impacts of plastic littering.

Globally plastic production per year has exceeded a whooping magnitude of 459.75 million tons with a cumulative production of 9.5 billion tons in total by 2019. In Pakistan alone, 3.3 million tons of plastic waste is generated annually which is equivalent to the height of two K2 Mountains.

Realising the urgency of action to curb plastic pollution, 175 nations forged synergies at the United Nations Environment Assembly in 2022 to develop an obligatory international agreement to end plastic pollution by 2024.

"Pak-EPA has already tasked the schedule and enforcement teams for implementation of Single-Use Plastic (Prohibition) Regulations, 2023 with the collaboration and support of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration," informed Farzana Altaf Shah. The aim of Single-Use Plastics (Prohibition) Regulations 2023 is to fight littering and prevent carcinogenic and problematic plastic items from entering the market to reduce adverse impacts on human health and the environment.

By adopting comprehensive measures to tackle plastic pollution, Pakistan has reaffirmed its dedication to safeguarding the health of its citizens and preserving its natural heritage for future generations.

Recently, the Pak-EPA enforcement team confiscated over 0.27 tons of plastic bags and disposable cutlery from different markets, hotels, eateries, retailers and Margalla Hills National Park in the federal capital.

"The government's revived campaign on the prohibition of plastics was appreciable, but it should have a three-tier approach of ACA (Awareness, Capacity, and Accountability)," opined the CEO of Resilient Future International, Aftab Alam Khan. "It is also important to build the capacity of stakeholders associated with the plastic industry. The government should ensure an enabling environment so the industry can produce cheap and good quality reusable products."

The Single-Use Plastics (Prohibition) Regulations 2023 states that due to a lack of alternatives and the need for transition to a circular economy, single-use plastic beverage containers shall contain at least 50% recycled plastic from 1st July 2028. It further states that it should be based on the 'polluter pays principle' and that plastic waste may be collected by producers, importers, distributors, supplier, and beverage companies. Violation of these regulations may also lead to fines being imposed by the Pak-EPA.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 14^th, 2024.