The Federal Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination has announced a ban on single-use plastics within the federal capital. This decision is part of the ministry’s ongoing efforts to combat pollution.
The ban, which will be enforced in Islamabad starting from August 1, targets the use, sale, and supply of single-use plastic products. Violators will face immediate penalties, as the ministry has urged authorities to impose heavy fines for non-compliance.
The department overseeing this initiative has extended the prohibition to include the use, manufacturing, import, distribution, delivery, sale, storage, and purchase of single-use plastic items. The list of banned items includes plastic bags, crockery, cutlery such as spoons, forks, and knives, as well as food service boxes, cups, plates, and bowls.
In the future, these items will not be allowed in hotels, stalls, parks, or entertainment venues. Their usage will be closely monitored and regulated, with severe consequences for anyone found in possession of or using such items.
To ensure adherence to the new regulations, producers and importers of single-use plastic will face a hefty fine of Rs. 1 million. Shopkeepers, stallholders, hawkers, and suppliers selling these prohibited items will be fined Rs. 10,000. Citizens caught using single-use plastic items in public places like parks and roads will be subject to an on-the-spot fine of Rs. 1,000.
The Ministry of Climate Change has also directed the Environmental Protection Agency to launch an awareness campaign about the ban. This campaign is set to kick off on August 1, coinciding with the enforcement of the ban. It is noteworthy that a similar ban had already been implemented in Punjab from July 1, indicating a nationwide commitment to reducing plastic pollution.
