Curbing single use of plastic: EPA activates district bodies to implement new rules

LAHORE:Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has activated district plastic management committee in all districts to implement the newly updated rules regarding curbing single use plastic in the province.

The EPA DG, in this regard, vide letter number 160/DG/EPA/2024 wrote a letter to all deputy commissioners of the province to implement the amendments to the Punjab Environmental Protection (Production and Consumption of Single-Use Plastic Product) Regulations 2023, which was notified vide Gazette Notification No. 170 of 2024 dated 28.11.2024.

The major amendments included provision of administrative penalties and schedule of fines added ranging from Rs5,000 to Rs50,000. Administrative penalty can be imposed on violators after serving seven days’ prior notice. The premises where banned single-use plastic is found can be seized or sealed and material can be confiscated. In this regard, the District Plastic Management Committees have been formulated and registration and renewal fees have been revised.

It is pertinent to mention that single use plastic items especially shopping bags are being sold in every nook and corner of the province and the administration concerned was not checking this violation due to the absence of the District Plastic Management Committee.

The EPA DG sought special attention of all the deputy commissioners towards Regulation 15 of the Regulations under which the District Plastic Management Committee has been formulated. The letter said that the composition of a District Plastic Management Committee included deputy commissioner as the chairperson, district police officer as member, district officer of the Industries, Commerce, Investment and Skills Development Department as a member, district in-charge of the Punjab Food Authority as a member, chief officer of the district council as a member, CEO Waste Management Company concerned as a member, president chamber of commerce and industries, or his nominee as a member. One representative from the persons engaged in plastic business to be nominated by the chairperson as a member. CEO District Education Authority as a member, chairman market committee as a member, district officer environment as a member/secretary and any other member to be co-opted by the committee as a member.

As per the TORs, the District Plastic Management Committee (DPMC) shall monitor and oversee all the affairs related to implementation of the regulations, compile data of all activities including registration as well as punitive and other actions taken under the regulations.

DPMC will also facilitate the registration of producer, distributor, consumer, collector and recycler of single-use plastic product as mentioned under the regulations, promote public awareness and education regarding plastic waste reduction and recycling initiatives, identify and collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ensure effective plastic waste management practices, facilitate availability of alternate options to replace plastic bags in the local market, keep liaison with the elected representatives and ensure implementation of the regulations in letter and spirit.

The EPA DG asked all the deputy commissioners of the province to convene the meeting of the said committee immediately, co-opt the members at their own level and supervise the ongoing crackdown against the banned/ substandard plastic products as well as registration process of the plastic products producers, distributors, consumers, collectors and recyclers.