RAWALPINDI: The district administration is all set to implement the ban on plastic bags from Wednesday (today) on the directive of the Punjab government.

In this regard, the administration has started work to ensure replacement of plastic bags of less than 75 microns in shopping malls of the city.

Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema told Dawn that teams had been formed under the supervision of assistant commissioners with members from the Punjab Environment Department.

He said the teams would confiscate plastic bags of less than 75 microns (polyethylene, non-woven polypropylene) from retailers of commercial areas. The environment department would start registration of producers, distributors, recyclers and collectors.

He said the registration of producers and distributors shall be accompanied with an affidavit stating that they will not produce/distribute plastic bags of less than 75 microns and will phase out their stock in 45 days in an environment-friendly manner.

After 45 days, he said, the existing stock of producers and distributors will be confiscated.

“Producers, distributors, recyclers and collectors who do not register themselves in 15 days from June 5 will be sealed on June 21.”

He said the Punjab government imposed the ban on manufacturing, sale and use of polythene/plastic bags.

An awareness campaign had been launched in the district to promote the use of paper and cloth-made bags in markets and bazaars. He said the teams would confiscate the product besides imposing fines on violators with the help of police.

He said polythene bags were creating environmental issues as these took thousands of years to decompose. The bags have been causing havoc in urban and rural areas besides damaging the sewerage system, spreading epidemics, polluting soil, causing water pollution and endangering aquatic life.

Meanwhile, a day before implementation of the ban, Assistant Commissioner City Hakim Khan visited different shopping malls and grocery store chains to manage replacement of plastic bags with paper bags.

Many stores and restaurants agreed to replace the plastic bags and disposable plates and glass.

“We have displayed banners made from cloth to create public awareness,” said the assistant commissioner.

He said a seminar to create awareness among stakeholders was also being held on June 5 in which owners of bakeries, restaurants and food outlets will be informed about the alternatives and samples will be given to them.

All Pakistan Restaurants, Caterers, Sweets and Bakers Association President Chaudhry Farooq told Dawn that the district administration was cooperating with them for which he was grateful to them.

He said the government was working to provide alternatives to plastic bags and disposable utensils and the manufacturers would brief the association at a seminar about the prices and quality of the alternatives.

Published in Dawn, June 5th, 2024