RAWALPINDI: The Punjab Environment Protection Agency (EPA-Punjab) on Thursday banned the use of polythene and oxo-biodegradable bags in shopping malls, department stores, bakeries and shops. Shop owners have been asked to remove all such bags by Aug 31.

Deputy Director Environment Amin Baig told Dawn that the implementation of the ban on polythene and oxo-biodegradable bags began on Aug 20 on orders from the Lahore High Court (LHC), which banned the manufacture, sale and use of polythene and plastic bags on March 20.

He said the LHC had passed the order earlier, but communicated it to the EPA-Punjab’s Rawalpindi chapter on Thursday, which has enforced the ban and issued notices to all those concerned.

The authority did not take action because of the lockdown imposed to limit the spread of the coronavirus, he added, but after receiving the orders notices were issued immediately with a two week deadline.

After Aug 31, a campaign will be launched against violators of ban

He said some shopping centres, department stores, malls, restaurants and so on, are not complying with the court’s orders.

“The EPA9 has been directed to extend them two more weeks so that they are compliant. A similar order is being passed with respect to other major cities in the first phase, (including) Gujranwala, Sialkot, Sheikhupura, Rawalpindi and Multan,” he said.

Mr Baig said that the use of polythene bags thicker than 15 microns was permitted, and fines were imposed on the manufacturing and sale of polythene bags less than 15 microns thick under the Environment Protection Ordinance 2002.

After the LHC’s decision, all kinds of polythene bags have been banned and the court has directed for manufacturing to be stopped in the EPA-Punjab’s respective areas.

“There are a few manufacturing units established in Rawalpindi district to make polythene bags and these units have been sealed. The distributors have been warned and given two weeks to stop selling bags in the market,” he said.

Mr Baig said an awareness campaign has also begun in the district promoting the use of fabric and paper bags in markets. Teams have been formed to take action against violations with the help of local police, which will confiscate the products and impose fines.

He said that polythene bags and styrofoam products cause environmental problems because they take thousands of years to decompose. They damage sewerage systems, spread epidemics, pollute soil, cause water pollution and endanger aquatic life.

Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2020