Use of banned plastic bags continues in Pindi

The usage of plastic bags is dangerous for human health. Despite a ban on the use of plastic bags due to their harmful effect on the environment, shopkeepers and grocery stores are using them without any fear of legal action due to the ineffective implementation of the law by the city authorities.

“Fruit and vegetable vendors are using plastic bags at the markets. The Pakistan Environment Protection Agency has not been able to rein in their use by cart vendors in the streets. They continue to package items in plastic bags,” says Saulat Abbas. “Environmentalists agree that plastic bags are a major cause of environmental pollution. These bags, irrespective of thickness, can cause sewerage system damage, spread of diseases/epidemics, soil pollution, water pollution, and floods, eventually leading to severe environmental pollution and human health hazards. Citizens should discourage the use of plastic bags,” says Baqir Ali.

“The production of plastic bags adversely affects human health, ecosystems, and wildlife. Made from polyethylene, a type of non-biodegradable material, these bags remain in the environment for hundreds of years and never decompose fully,” adds Baqir.

“The carbon-intensive production of polythene has been on pace to emit more greenhouse gases than coal-fired power plants across the world, with the global plastic industry releasing at least 232 million tons of these gases annually. These gases trap heat in the atmosphere of the earth and in turn contribute to global warming and exacerbate climate change, leading to devastating impacts around the world,” says Ishrat Hussain. “Punjab government announced its decision to ban the production, distribution, and sale of plastic bags from June 5 as people celebrated World Environment Day. The aim behind the No to Plastic campaign is to decrease environmental pollution and promote pro-environment steps. Hotels, restaurants, and other food joints cannot give customers food in plastic bags anymore,” says Danial Haider.

“Pakistan, which ranks among countries most vulnerable to climate change, has witnessed untimely downpours, deadly floods, heat waves, and droughts in recent years, which experts have attributed to climate change effects,” says Anab Batool. “Some customers and shopkeepers said the ban on the use of plastic shopping bags was a very good decision but violation of the ban continued as the people were facing difficulties in finding an alternative to plastic bags,” says Shafaq Zahra.

“Another reason for the use of plastic shopping bags in different markets of the city was lack of effective checking and monitoring by the department concerned,” adds Shafaq. Farman Ali says, “Tons of polythene bags taken out during the cleaning of drains in the city obstructed the drainage of rainwater due to which water entered the houses and accumulated on the roads. We must prove ourselves to be good citizens and try to lessen the burden of the civic authorities.”