Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Despite strong recommendations of Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change about imposition of complete ban on manufacturing of polythene bags in federal capital, use and production of plastic bags is going on unchecked.

Pakistan Environment Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) with the approval of the Ministry of Climate Change and after obtaining consent of the Law and Justice Division, under SRO No 5 (KE) 2013, had prohibited manufacturing, import, sale and use of non-degradable plastic products and other plastic materials in the limits of Islamabad Capital Territory from April 2013, official sources in the Ministry of Climate said on Tuesday.

They said the ministry, in order to ensure smooth availability of the additive used for producing oxo-degradable plastic, four firms were registered by Pak-EPA for a period of two years. Furthermore letters were issued to more than sixty industries to use Oxo-degradable for packaging of their products being supplied marked in Islamabad capital territory (ICT). Howe-ver, they said, serious concerns were raised by Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) regarding applicability of this regulation on certain type of packaging materials specially food items.

They said the Pakistan Business Council (PBC) also submitted a representation to Ministry of Climate Change conveying concerns of their member industries including multi-national corporations on the use of Oxo-degradable plastic material for food packing.

They said the ministry had directed Pak-EPA to address the concerns of the industries and consumers of plastic packaging material, accordingly series of meeting were held in this regard.

Finally it was agreed upon to revise the schedule to the regulations, they said, adding that the amendment to the regulations after due approval process and vetting by the law division was notified.

The sources said in order to enforce these regulations in ICT, a meeting was held under the chairmanship of Additional Secretary Ministry of Climate Change with the representatives of ICT Administration and CDA.