The Punjab Environment Protection Agency (Punjab-EPA) has announced plans to make Rawalpindi the first district headquarters free of single-use plastic, with implementation set to begin from June.
Speaking at a press conference in Rawalpindi, Director General Punjab-EPA Dr Imran Hamid Sheikh said laws banning single-use plastic bags are already in place and enforcement is underway, with fines, sealing, and other legal action being taken against violators.
He said the initiative is part of a broader plan to make Punjab plastic-free, adding that district headquarters across the province will be transitioned in phases, with Rawalpindi leading the rollout.
Dr Sheikh said a phased approach is being adopted to avoid disruption to businesses, noting that eco-friendly plastic bags with a thickness of over 75 microns are available in the market and their use is being encouraged in coordination with stakeholders and industry.
He said plastic-free zones are being established in Rawalpindi and the initiative is being extended to traditional markets to ensure wider compliance. Officials said single-use plastic poses long-term environmental risks, stressing the need for immediate and sustained action.
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