Lahore:
Punjab Environment Protection Agency has confiscated 321,582 kg of plastic bags under 75 microns since a ban introduced by the provincial government on June 5.
According to official data, teams of the department have completed 143,354 inspections throughout the province.
EPA troops carried out 136,961 raids and confiscated 249,485 kg of plastic bags, of which 6,393 raids were performed in the provincial capital and 72,097 kg of plastic bags were seized.
PUNJAB EPA HERFORE Director Dr. Imran Hamid Sheikh told The Express Pakinomist that recognizing the growing need to control the production and use of plastic products, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had decided to ban the bags from June 5.
The Minister of Ministry has instructed the Environment Department to monitor all registered premises to ensure that no production unit violates the rules by producing disposable micron plastic bags. In addition, the department will carry out vigilant operations to ensure that no plastic bag production unit is left.
A plastic control information system (PMIs) has also been launched since December for registration and license for plastic companies throughout Punjab.
DG said that 556 producers, consumers, collectors and recyclers had been registered through the PMIs.
The data showed that special troops of the environmental protection force have confiscated 47,065 kg of banned bags in Multan, 30,474 kg in Rawalpindi, 13.110 kg in Faisalabad, 6,536 kg in Gujranwala, 11,780 kg in Sargodha, 10,606 kg in Bahawalpur, 8.012kg in Sahihi, 10,606 kg in Bahawalpur, 8.012kg in Sahiwal, 10,606 kg in Bahawalpur, 8.012kg in Sahii, 10.606 kg in Bahawalpalpur, 8,012 kg in SAHII 7,460 kg in Sheikhupura and 3,705 kg in Kasur. Prohibited plastic bags weighing 9,987 kg, in Mandi Bahauddin, 8,130 kg in Sialkot, 5,868 kg in Gujrat, 5.204 kg in Dera Ghazi Khan, 4,271 kg in Toba Tek Singh, 4.068 kg in Lodhran, 3,827kg I JH, 3,313k in Narowal, Narowal, 3,024 kg in Muzaffargarh, 2,891 kg in Okara, 2,886 kg in Pakpattan, 1,826 kg in Minawali and 5,899 kg in the vehicle.
In NANKANA SAHIB, 5,656 kg of banned bags were seized, Hafizabad 5.328 kg, Attock 5.012 kg, Bahawalnagar 4,743 kg, Layyah 4,647 kg, Khanewal 3,764 kg, Rahim Yar Khan 3.604 kg, Chakwal 3.516kg, Jhle 2.879 KG, Chiniot 2.529 kg, Rajanpur 2,064 kg, Khushab 1,734 kg, KOT ADU 1,541 kg, Bhakkar 1,307 kg, Phoolnagar 874 kg and Murree 341 kg.
Environmental protection and climate change secretary Silwat Saeed said an initiative to invite all companies and organizations to participate in the plastic free Punjab promise campaign will result in more effective ways to stop prohibited disposable plastic articles.
