Biodegradable bags to be encouraged

Experts hail single-use plastic ban to curb pollution

LAHORE:

A ban is set to be imposed on the use of single-use plastics from June 5 across Punjab.

Experts have claimed that the increasing use of plastics is causing environmental pollution, health risks, dangers to aquatic life, an increase in waste accumulation, and economic loss.

Lahore Waste Management Company's Chief Executive Officer, Sahib Din, told The Express Tribune, “Due to single-use plastics, our sewerage system is severely affected. Drains and sewers become blocked.”

According to LWMC's survey, 400 tonnes of plastic waste is collected daily in Lahore, which is dumped at the dumping site. “Plastic cannot be biodegraded and takes hundreds of years to decompose, even after being buried in the ground. It also pollutes the soil and water, damaging agricultural produce and affecting our food supply”.

Environmental expert Dr Sadia Khalid said the presence of plastic in rivers, lakes, and oceans is deadly for aquatic life. Fish and other aquatic animals ingest plastic particles, thinking they are food, which leads to their death.

Moreover, sea birds and other animals also get trapped in plastic nets and die. Chemicals present in plastic products, such as BPA and phthalates, are extremely harmful to human health. “These chemicals can cause hormonal changes, infertility, cancer, and heart diseases. Plastic particles enter the human body through air, water, and food, causing various diseases”.

Environmentalists also stated that the habits of using plastic are taking people away from social responsibility. Due to a lack of awareness among people, they use plastic items excessively and do not dispose of them properly. To change this behavior, educational and awareness campaigns are necessary, claim experts.

Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said that the government is imposing a complete ban on plastic bags across Punjab. This ban will be strictly enforced, and alternative biodegradable bags will be encouraged. Recycling infrastructure will be developed, and recycling centres will be established to educate the public on how to properly recycle plastic products. Additionally, assistance will be provided to promote the recycling industry. Strict laws will be made for plastic waste management, and action will be taken against those who violate them. The public will be trained to properly dispose of plastic waste, and fines and penalties will be imposed for non-compliance.

She stated that a crackdown will be launched against factories producing illegal plastic products from June 5, and a strict ban will be imposed on providing food to customers in plastic bags at hotels, restaurants, and food points.

She added that according to the law, the use of polythene bags with a thickness of less than 75 microns and single-use plastic utensils is completely prohibited, and an awareness campaign titled ‘Plastic is death’ will be launched to educate the public about the harmful effects of plastic.

According to a report by global environmental organisations, by 2040, 19% of the world's toxic gas emissions will be due to plastic. In March 2022, 193 countries agreed to eliminate plastic pollution. Currently, 430 million tonnes of plastic products are produced worldwide every year, of which two-thirds have a short lifespan and eventually become waste.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 5^th, 2024.