Plastic Pollution in Punjab: Simple Solutions

A plastic bag may be used for a short time, yet it takes a long time to break down in the environment. You can see streets, markets, drains, and open spaces all clogged with plastic bags, cups, wrappers, and all sorts of food packaging. Because they are cheap and easy to get, many people just assume that their use will not cause any harm. If plastic waste isn't properly collected and managed, it can become a real issue for our communities. In Punjab, it's absolutely essential that we reduce the use of single-use plastic if we're going to get to a cleaner environment, and it's not just the job of the various government departments. It's something that shopkeepers, students, families, and consumers all need to get involved with. In Pakistan, 3.3 million tons of plastic waste are generated annually.

Why Single-use Plastic becomes a local Problem 

Single-use plastic is plastic which is primarily manufactured to be used once and then thrown away (examples being shopping bags, disposable cups, straws and some food packaging). The very fact that it is so convenient doesn't mean we should just ignore the problems that arise after it's been used. It can clog drains and, when it all builds up with other rubbish, can lead to urban flooding. The UN Environment Programme has stated that plastic pollution has an impact on ecosystems and that poorly managed plastic waste is a global problem. Their report on single-use plastics is very clear in the view that there needs to be a joint effort from governments, industry and individuals. You have to clean it up, but it's better to prevent the waste in the first place.

Punjab is taking Steps, but Public Participation Matters

The Punjab Environmental Protection (Production and Consumption of Single Use Plastic Products) Regulations 2023 (together with the amendments and the relevant orders) have been issued by the Provincial Department of Environment Protection. The Regulations set out the framework for the management of single-use plastic products, and the Department has also provided the relevant businesses with information on plastic management and registration. It is absolutely essential that public awareness, availability of practical alternatives and consistent implementation all work in tandem. The objective is to reduce the use of unnecessary single-use items in accordance with the relevant rules and, where possible, to use reusable alternatives.

Role of Schools, Colleges and Universities

Educational institutions are a great place to start, as students can put what they've learned into practice at their own homes and in their own communities. A school or university doesn't need a massive budget to start cutting down on disposable plastic at all.

• The educational institutions should encourage the use of sustainable reusable alternatives to single-use plastic items (UNEP).
• Put clearly labelled bins in prominent positions and make it absolutely clear what can actually be recycled in that area.

The activities should continue after the awareness session, and a student group could look at whether or not the use of reusable bottles is increasing, and also ask students about the problems they have in changing their behavior.

A practical role for shops and households 

Shopkeepers should ask the customer if they need a bag rather than just giving one to them. They should also be actively promoting the use of reusable bags by explaining why. Families can of course keep their own reusable bags by the door or in a handbag they use all the time. Before you go shopping, you should check that you have a paper or cloth bag.

From Awareness to Measurable Action 

Environmental awareness is useful when that awareness results in actions which people can see. A community group could pick one street, one school or one market area and simply record the types of plastic that are most commonly seen. They could go round to the residents and shopkeepers in a very courteous manner, reach an agreement with them on one or two changes, and then a few weeks later come back and see how well those changes have been adopted. As you're making your observations, you have to be absolutely honest. The amount of waste you collect must be measured, and any impact which is not measurable must be stated as an anticipated outcome. That's the only way you're going to build credibility and enable others to learn.

Conclusion

Littering and the improper disposal of waste are the principal causes of plastic pollution. There are certainly regulations in place in Punjab which provide a framework, but a cleaner environment can also be achieved through the simple choices we make on a day-to-day basis in the market, at home and in schools/colleges. At school or colleges, you can reduce the use of single-use items and help others to understand the value of doing so. A single campaign or a single clean-up will not be enough to make Punjab a cleaner place; it will have to be a result of a series of decisions, of the active participation of the public, of effective waste management and of actions based on evidence. The change we need may well start with one simple question: do I actually need this plastic bag, and what is going to happen to it once I've got rid of it?