The Restaurants, Caterers, Sweets and Bakers Association (RCSBA) has raised concerns over the impending ban on polythene bags in Rawalpindi, stating that a blanket ban sans alternatives would harm manufacturers and consumers alike.
RCSBA Chairman Mumtaz Ahmed, representing the association at a meeting with district administration officials, said Punjab hosts around 0.45 million units producing plastic bags, employing approximately 0.75 million people.
Despite the significant size of this industry, no formal alternative solutions have been proposed, he said. Ahmed demanded that an alternative be provided before the ban is implemented. He suggested that the ban on plastic bags should not only be enforced in Rawalpindi but across the entire Punjab province.
To address the issue of plastic straws, Ahmed proposed the establishment of tax-free factories for their production, adhering to government guidelines. He also suggested that cloth mills should be mandated to use surplus cloth to produce bags of various sizes.
During a meeting with the Deputy Commissioner (DC), association leaders expressed their concerns and stated that while they support the government's environmental initiatives, the current procedure is flawed.
He pointed out that there are more factories in Lahore and Karachi, and the environment department should have provided more awareness about the damages caused by plastic bags. He noted that the cost of substitute items is higher, which would directly impact consumers.
Furthermore, he criticised the environment department for not knowing the locations of plastic bag factories, which they should be aware of. Ahmed also highlighted inconsistencies in the policy, such as the prohibition of drinking glasses made from the same material as water bottles, which are not banned. He called for a review of the policy, suggesting that recyclable materials should be allowed.
Ahmed stressed that people in cities like Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, and Multan are unaware of the government orders, and thus the ban should be applied uniformly across Punjab. He reiterated that there is no factory in Pakistan producing drinking straws, as they are imported from China, necessitating foreign exchange. He proposed setting up tax-free factories to manufacture straws according to government measures and suggested that the public should be informed about these changes.
Additionally, an environmental department official stated that their targets include manufacturers, consumers, plastic bag collectors, and plastic recyclers. She emphasised that the government of Punjab aims to provide a healthy environment for its citizens and called for collective efforts to create a clean environment.
Deputy Commissioner Hasan Waqar Cheema and Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Mujahid reiterated that the deadline for the ban is June 5, 2024, which will not be extended under any circumstances.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 27th, 2024.
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