Light plastic bags to be banned from 5th

Factories, eateries violating restriction to face crackdown

LAHORE:

Senior Provincial Minister Mariyum Aurangzeb has said that preparations have been made to ensure strict implementation of a ban on the production, distribution and sale of illegal plastic bags from June 5.

A campaign has been launched to protect the people from deadly diseases caused by plastic use. Plastic causes cancer and other deadly diseases, increasing pollution and causing serious health issues.

The senior minister stated that a crackdown will be launched against factories manufacturing illegal plastic products from June 5.

She said numerous notices have been sent in this regard.

Hotels, restaurants and other eateries will also be strictly prohibited from serving food in plastic bags to the customers. Legal action will be taken against the owners violating the ban and heavy fines will also be imposed.

The senior provincial minister said that according to the law, the use of polythene bags of less than 75 microns and single-use plastic utensils has been banned.

An awareness campaign on the topic of ‘Plastic is death’ will be launched. Messages in this regard will be displayed in shopping malls, offices, bus stands, parks, transports vehicles and public places with regard to plastic ban. The senior minister said the production, sale and use of cotton bags or other alternatives will be promoted. “Plastic causes death and we all have to work in unison to avoid its toxic and hazardous effects,” she added.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 3^rd, 2024.