200kg of prohibited plastic bags seized

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in association with the district administration confiscated 200 kilogrammes of prohibited plastic bags during a month-long crackdown.

The agency has been enforcing a ban on single-use plastic bags with a thickness of less than 75 microns and sizes smaller than 12x16 inches for the last month. These actions are being taken following the directives of the Punjab government, the EPA's Director-General, and the Chakwal Deputy Commissioner. Led by Deputy Director Dr Saadia and Assistant Director Anza Niazi, EPA teams are working alongside the district administration to curb the use of illegal plastic bags.

In the past month, inspections were carried out at 240 shops, resulting in the issuance of 116 notices and the confiscation of over 200 kilograms of prohibited plastic bags.

Under the amended Single-Use Plastic Regulations 2023, all stakeholders in the plastic industry including producers, distributors, bulk consumers, recyclers, and collectors are required to register with the EPA and obtain a license.