'Green credit' scheme for recycling plastic bottles launched in Lahore

Citizens can deposit empty plastic bottles into Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) and earn up to Rs1,000

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A new eco-friendly initiative has been launched in Lahore aimed at tackling plastic pollution by incentivising citizens to recycle used plastic bottles, it emerged on Monday. 

Under the programme, residents can deposit empty plastic bottles into Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) and earn up to Rs1,000 in “Green Credit” per kilogram of plastic — roughly 20 one-and-a-half litre bottles.

The project, led by ISP Environmental Solutions with support from the Intratech Group and the World Bank, is part of Punjab’s Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Credit Program. The project aims to transform how urban waste is managed and perceived by offering financial incentives in exchange for used plastic.

Lahore produces about 500 tons of plastic waste daily, much of which pollutes waterways and landfills, according to Intratech Group Chairperson Gulfam Abid.

“These new Reverse Vending Machines will collect single-use plastic items, including bottles, cups and plates,” he explained. “The collected material will be repurposed into raw materials for footpaths, road repairs and environmentally sustainable bricks.”

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Each RVM is capable of storing up to 25kgs of plastic and is equipped with weight-sensitive sensors that reject non-plastic materials. Users simply insert the bottles into a designated slot, press button “A,” enter their mobile number, and press button “B” to view their credit details on the screen. The same information is also accessible via a dedicated mobile application.

The app not only tracks credit but also connects users directly with waste dealers. Citizens can sell their plastic through the platform, and company representatives will collect the items from their location. More than 18,000 local scrap dealers have been onboarded into the system, and they too can earn green credit in addition to their regular profits.

In the initial phase, the machines are being installed at four private universities in Lahore. Later, the project will expand to both public and private spaces.

While the machines are locally manufactured in Pakistan, they incorporate advanced Chinese technology. Each unit costs around Rs800,000 to produce.

An “Eco Bricks Plant” has also been established in the Sundar Industrial Estate as part of the program. It will manufacture construction-grade bricks using the collected plastic. The plant's inauguration is scheduled for July.

Officials emphasize that the project goes beyond just installing machines — its broader goal is to instill a sense of environmental stewardship among the public. “We want people to view plastic not as waste, but as a valuable resource that can be reused for environmental and economic gain,” one official said.