Lahore is taking significant steps to combat plastic pollution through strict provincial regulations, innovative waste management solutions and technology-based initiatives aimed at protecting the environment and water resources.
The Punjab government, in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is implementing the “Plastic-Free Punjab” campaign to eliminate single-use plastics and promote sustainable waste management practices. Under the campaign, the manufacturing, sale and use of plastic shopping bags and polythene bags thinner than 75 microns have been banned across the province. The restrictions also cover various single-use disposable plastics, multi-layer packaging materials and polystyrene products.
The EPA Punjab and Punjab Food Authority are conducting extensive enforcement operations to ensure compliance by manufacturers, retailers and consumers. During these operations, enforcement teams have seized more than 263,000 kilograms of banned plastic materials and issued thousands of notices to violators.
EPA officials said violations could result in heavy fines ranging from Rs5,000 to Rs50,000 for shopkeepers, sealing of businesses and confiscation of banned plastic items. Manufacturers face stricter penalties for non-compliance.
In addition to regulatory measures, the EPA has introduced technological solutions to address plastic waste in waterways. The agency has launched its first skimming boat designed to collect floating plastic waste from canals and rivers, with the Lahore Canal selected as the pilot site.
The boat, equipped with a waste collection system at the front, will help remove plastic debris from water channels and evaluate the effectiveness of the technology before its possible expansion across Punjab.
EPA Punjab Director General Dr Imran Hamid Sheikh stressed that practical action was essential to eliminate plastic pollution. He said the success of environmental commitments depended on translating plans into effective implementation.
He reaffirmed that enforcement against banned single-use plastic bags would continue through dedicated teams and special squads across the province.