Action against plastic bags use: 92 premises sealed; Rs6.31m fines imposed

LAHORE:Anti-plastic squads of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have completed one lakh inspections from June 2024.

A spokesperson for the agency said the plastic bag free campaign in Punjab was launched from June 5, 2024 under DG Environment Imran Hamid Sheikh, after which the actions were further intensified as the government approved the law related to plastics.

He said so far, 140,000 kilograms of plastic bags have been seized during 100,000 inspections while 4,700 notices were issued. He added that the special squads of Punjab Environment Department have seized a huge amount of other single-use plastic items under the new plastic regulation.

The spokesperson said the squads have so far sealed 92 premises, imposed fines of Rs6.31 million while 29 FIRs have been registered. Single-use plastic was destroying the environment, causing serious health problems, said Secretary Environment Punjab Raja Jahangir Anwar. He said plastic bags less than 75 microns will no longer be made or used and anyone doing this will have to face the action.