Arsalan Ali

A roadmap to mitigate the harmful impacts of plastic pollution on the environment has been launched by the Ministry of Climate Change (MoCC). According to an official document, a copy of which is available with WealthPK, Pakistan generated around 3 million tonnes of plastic waste in 2022. Without urgent action, this is expected to quadruple to 12 million tons by 2040. To address this issue, the MoCC has developed Pakistan’s National Plastics Action Partnership (NPAP), which is based on landscape analysis and aligned with a circular economy framework.

According to the document, the initiative taken by the MoCC proposes five major shifts to minimise plastic pollution. The first step aims to reduce plastic waste and pollution by 34% and substitute 7% of plastics with sustainable alternatives by 2040. Secondly, the plan advocates redesign of plastic products, with a goal of increasing the volume of recyclable materials by 10%. The third shift involves tripling the plastic waste collection rate by 2040 and strengthening the collection capacity.

Fourthly, the focus is on improving recycling processes and equipment to accelerate the recycling rate by 20% by the same period. Finally, the roadmap proposes expanding managed waste disposal systems to handle 16% (1.5m tonnes) of waste generated by 2040. To promote the circular economy of plastics, the MoCC has undertaken specific initiatives and key activities, including running public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about the importance of reducing plastic waste and promoting eco-friendly practices.

It said the vast majority of this waste is mismanaged, ending up in landfills, waterways, and oceans, posing serious risks to the environment and human health. Private companies are also taking steps to convert multi-material plastics into mono-materials and improving the design of plastics to make them more easily recyclable.

Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri, Executive Director Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), said while talking to WealthPK that circular economy emphasis should be placed on reducing waste, and recycling materials to reduce environmental impact. ‘’The importance of reusing products should be emphasised. There is a need to establish an announcement of public and private sector engagement of research and policy to establish their own network on circular economy,” he said.

In 2019, the MoCC imposed a ban on single-use plastic bags within the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) jurisdiction, aimed at reducing the amount of plastic waste generated by these bags. The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulation is also being introduced, requiring manufacturers and importers of plastic products to take responsibility for the collection, recycling, and safe disposal of their products.

The plastic pollution crisis in Pakistan is threatening the country’s people and environment. Immediate action is needed to reverse the current trajectory. “Joining the Global Plastic Action Partnership and developing the NPAP is a critical step towards addressing these issues,” the document suggested. It said the implementation of these interventions requires a collective effort from all stakeholders, and will contribute to safeguarding Pakistan’s natural resources and securing a sustainable future for its people.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk