Punjab bans businesses from charging for plastic bags from Sept 6

LAHORE: Punjab’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has barred commercial establishments from charging customers for plastic shopping bags from September 6, while allowing charges only for reusable or recyclable bags made from materials other than plastic.

The order was issued in a notice dated July 5 by EPA Director General Imran Hamid Sheikh. According to the notice, retailers had begun imposing what the official described as excessive prices on plastic shopping bags, a practice he said had contributed to higher plastic bag production while discouraging the manufacture of bags made from reusable and recyclable environmentally friendly materials.

"No shop, retail center, restaurant, hotel, and other commercial establishment shall charge any fee/price for the provision of plastic shopping bags while selling their products. Nevertheless, they will be allowed to charge fee/price only for reusable or recyclable shopping bags made from any material other than plastic," Sheikh said.

He said the measure would take effect on September 6. In a separate statement, the EPA director general directed retailers to provide plastic bags free of cost and urged consumers to reduce their dependence on single-use plastics, ensure proper management of plastic waste and encourage the use of reusable or recyclable shopping bags.

Penalties for violations

Businesses found violating the order after the deadline may face fines ranging from Rs5,000 to Rs50,000, according to Sheikh. He added that penalties could also include the sealing of a business and the registration of a first information report.

The EPA chief said some businesses were charging separately for plastic bags carrying their own branding, effectively turning the bags into an additional item for sale. He also said retailers were making a profit margin from consumers on plastic bags.

Wider anti-plastic push

Last month, the Punjab EPA stepped up efforts to create plastic-free zones in major markets in big cities. As part of the broader campaign against plastic pollution, the agency announced that plastic bags below 75 microns would be completely banned in the coming weeks across the province.

The latest order adds to those measures by changing how businesses can handle shopping bags at the point of sale, with the EPA saying charges will be permissible only for non-plastic reusable or recyclable alternatives.