The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has moved a summary to the Capital Administration and Development Division (CAAD) to ban the manufacturing and non-degradable polythene bags, the use of which is flourishing in Islamabad.
The summary, if approved, will lead to the banning the use of polythene bags for the first time in the capital.
The EPA is planning to introduce and promote the bio-degradable polythene bags which are environment-friendly and can easily be disposed of. The summary is titled as ‘Prohibition of Non-Degradable Plastic Bags: Manufacturing, Sale, Usage and Disposal Act 2011’.
The polythene bags are being produced and openly used in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, which shows the inadequate government action against their manufactures and an absence of cost-effective environment-friendly alternatives as so far there is no law to ban their usage.
An official in EPA told Pakistan Today that the polythene bags caused environmental pollution if the solid waste containing these bags was not collected and disposed of properly. “That is why we are planning to promote the use of bio-degradable polythene bags.”
He said the leftover of used plastic shoppers chocked drainage system and created an inaesthetic view of environment. “The practice of burning them produces dioxins and furans, which are persistent organic pollutants and extremely harmful to the human and animal health.”
“The usage of these bags also affects the survival of marine life,” he said.
According to experts, majority of the lightweight polythene bags do not reach landfill sites, where they can be disposed of safely. Instead, they go airborne and are caught in fences and trees. They also provide breeding ground for mosquitoes that spread diseases likes dengue, malaria and others vector ailments.
Though the Ministry of Environment had banned sale, manufacture and usage of these light polythene bags; however, it has failed to implement its own initiative.
“Environmental pollution is a growing concern not only in Pakistan, but also in the whole world. Without tougher environmental legislation and proper consultation from all the stakeholders, it will be very difficult for the government to attain any success in its fight against polythene,” said Shakil Ahmed, an expert on environmental issues.
He said the alarming thing was that the government had failed to stop its use even in the twin cities.
He said the plastic bags that got buried in landfills might take up to 1000 years to break down and in the process they separated into smaller and smaller toxic particles that contaminated the soil and water.
The Environment Ministry had earlier recommended the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) that duty on import of oxo-biodegradable additive for the manufacturing of biodegradable bags be reduced from six to zero percent.
Earlier, alternatives to polythene bags such as paper and cloth bags were introduced in the markets, but they did not receive a good response. However, statements from environment managers reveal that the manufacturers opposed ban on polythene bags as it would affect the jobs of thousands of people associated with the industry.
