The Punjab Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has introduced a new mandate prohibiting commercial establishments from imposing charges on customers for plastic bags, starting September 6. This initiative aims to curb the commercialization of single-use plastics and encourage the use of sustainable alternatives.
Key Details of the Mandate
According to an official notice issued by EPA Director General Imran Hamid Sheikh on July 5, the following regulations will take effect:
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Free Plastic Bags: Retailers, restaurants, hotels, and all other commercial entities are forbidden from charging any fee for plastic shopping bags.
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Permitted Charges: Businesses are only authorized to charge for reusable or recyclable bags made from materials other than plastic.
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Rationale: The EPA identified that businesses were using branded plastic bags as a source of profit, which inadvertently incentivized higher plastic production and discouraged the adoption of eco-friendly alternatives.
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Compliance & Penalties: Businesses failing to adhere to these rules after September 6 face severe consequences, including:
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Fines ranging from Rs5,000 to Rs50,000.
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Potential sealing of the establishment.
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Registration of a First Information Report (FIR).
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Promoting Sustainable Habits
In conjunction with the ban, the EPA has urged consumers to take individual responsibility by reducing their reliance on single-use plastics and opting for eco-friendly shopping options.
This directive follows the EPA's recent efforts to combat plastic pollution across the province, which include:
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Establishing plastic-free zones in major city markets.
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Moving toward a complete ban on plastic bags thinner than 75 microns in the coming weeks.
"A profit margin is also made from consumers on plastic bags," DG EPA Imran Hamid Sheikh stated, emphasizing that the practice had turned plastic bags into a retail commodity rather than a service.
