Ban on Polythene Bags

Contents

1.     Brief about the Ban on Polythene Bags.....................................................................................................................................................................
2.     Collection Points in Islamabad Capital Territory.........................................................................................................................................................
             1      List of Authorized Manufactures and Importers............................................................................................................................................
             2.     Recycling Plans............................................................................................................................................................................................
3.     Authorisation Application Process..............................................................................................................................................................................

1.     Brief about the Ban on Polythene Bags

Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency has imposed a ban on polythene plastic bags in Islamabad Capital Territory, vide S.R.O. No. 92(KE)/2019, dated 22nd July 2019. As per the Regulations, unauthorized manufacture, import/distribution, sale, purchase, storage and usage of polythene bags is not allowed in Islamabad Capital Territory. Any person and/or entity that violates the ban will be liable to pay fines amounting to Rs.500,000/-, as described in Schedule-V of the Regulations (see below):

Penalties for violation of Polythene Bag Regulations

Sr. No.

Person/Entity violating the Regulations

1st time violation

2nd time violation

Violation of Regulations more than twice

1.

Manufacturer/Importer/Wholesaler

Rs. 100,000/-

Rs. 200,000/-

Rs. 500,000/-

2.

Shop keeper/Hawker/ Stall-holder

Rs. 10,000/-

Rs. 20,000/-

Rs. 50,000/-

3.

Any other person involved in offense under these regulations

Rs. 5000/-

Rs. 5000/-

There are, however, five (05) exempted uses for which manufacture/import/use of polythene bags is allowed, subject to authorization from Pak-EPA. Manufacturers, importers (wholesalers), and commercial users of polythene flat bags may manufacture, import or commercially use polythene flat bags for the following five (05) exempted uses in Islamabad Capital Territory, upon grant of authorization from Pak-EPA:

1.  Industrial packing

2.  Primary industrial packing

3.  Municipal waste

4.  Hospital waste

5.  Hazardous wast

For more information about the ban, please download a copy of the Regulations here.

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2.     Collection Points in Islamabad Capital Territory

For the benefit of assisting members of the public who wish to deposit their discarded polythene bags for recycling, the following Collection Points in Islamabad Capital Territory may be used for drop-off. Interested members of the public are advised to deposit their discarded polythene waste at the below-mentioned Collection Points in Islamabad for the EPA-authorized manufacturers and importers to collect for recycling:

Collection Points in Islamabad Capital Territory

#

Collection Point

Contacts

Managed By

1.

Plot# 74, Street# 14, Sector I-9/2, Industrial Area, Islamabad

051-4431128, 03325434934

Muzzafar & Bros.

2.

Chaudhary Plaza, Street# 15,Marwa Town, Islamabad. 

03218837211

AT Plastic & Pipe Store

3.

Med Life Services, N-5, Beside Islamabad Bus Terminal, Chungi No.26, Peshawar Road, Islamabad

03225022472

Med Life Services Recycling Plan

4.

Motorway Chowk, Near Islamabad Terminal Chungi No-26 Kashmir Highway, Islamabad.

0332 -5595227,   0300-0511016

Shamsheer Plastic Recycling Unit, Co Shams Enterprises

Please note that the above-mentioned Collection Points have been identified by plastic bag manufacturers/importers in their Recycling Plans under Extended Producer Responsibility. The responsibility for collection, segregation, disinfection, transportation, and recycling rests with them.

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A.     List of Authorized Manufactures and Importers

Below is a list of manufactures and importers who are authorized by Pak-EPA to manufacture/import polythene flat bags for one (01) or more exempted uses:

#

Name / Logo Category Authorisation granted for Polythene-bag Recycling facility

Download

Recycling Plan

Address and contact details
1.

Muzzafar & Brothers

Manufacturer
  • Hospital waste

  • Hazardous waste

  •  Municipal waste

Self and

third-party

Recycling Plan Muzzafar & Brothers

Plot#74, street 14, Sector I-9/2, Industrial Area, Islamabad

051-4431128,

03325434934,

2.

AT Plastic & Pipe Store

Importer
  • Hospital waste

  • Municipal waste

Self

Recycling Plan AT Plastic & Pipe Store

Flat no 1, Khan G plaza, Kalma chok, Ghori Town, Phase 5, Islamabad

3.

Med Life Services Recycling Plan

Manufacturer
  • Hospital waste
  • Municipal waste
Self

Recycling Plan Med Life Services

Med Life Services, N-5, Beside Islamabad Bus Terminal, Chungi No.26, Peshawar Road, Islamabad

Ph: 03225022472

4.

Shams Enterpirses

(Brand's Names TidEaz)

Importer
  • Hospital waste

  • Hazardous waste

  • Municipal waste

Third-party through Shamsheer Plastic

Recycling Plan Shams Enterprises (Brand TidEaz)

M/s Shams Enterprises (Brand TidEaz), Shop No. 7C, Block No. 7, Business Bay, DHA-1, Sector F, Islamabad.

Ph: 051-5595328

  • 03458568219

Email: sales@samsonsentp.com

 

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B.     Recycling Plans

Through the Regulations, Extended Producer Responsibility has been levied on manufacturers, importers and distributers of polythene plastic bags to encourage re-use and recycling of polyethylene waste, and to minimize solid waste in Islamabad Capital Territory.

Thus, each manufacturer and importer who applies for Authorization is bound to submit to Pak-EPA a detailed Recycling Plan (in line with regulation 7) for supporting the collection and recycling of (discarded) polythene bags.

So far, a number of applicants have submitted their complete Recycling Plans to the federal Agency, as part of their Authorization Application. For reference purposes, above are downloadable Recycling Plans of manufacturers and importers who have been authorized by Pak-EPA:There are still a few others whose authorization cases are under consideration, and whose complete Recycling Plans have been received. These are:

1.  Pronto Enterprises

2. Sustainable Living Solutions

In addition to the above two lists, Pak-EPA has also received a number of incomplete authorization applications which are not considered complete until and unless complete documentation is.

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3.     Authorisation Application Process


The process for submitting Authorisation Application to Pak-EPA has been laid down in the Regulations, a copy of which is available here.

The Authorisation process starts when an interested applicant submits complete Application Form along with requisite documents to Pak-EPA (see below). Applicants who are Islamabad-based manufacturers or importers (distributers) of polythene bags must also submit their complete Recycling Plans, as per regulation 7 of subject Regulations. For more information, please see the Section on Recycling Plans.

In order to apply for Authorization, interested applicants must submit a duly-filled Authorization Application Form along with Authorization Fees and the following documents to federal EPA:

1.  Cover letter addressed to Director General, Pak-EPA

2.  Duty attested photocopy of CNIC of applicant

3.  Duty attested photocopy of valid Sales Tax Number/NTN number issued by FBR

4.  Duly attested copy of NOC/certificate from relevant food authority certifying use of food-grade polythene flat bags for primary industrial packing of edible products (required only for food/catering industry).

5.  Copy of agreement with a third-party regarding recycling and/or final disposal of used polythene flat bags (if any).

6.  Copy of third-party agreement with manufacturer/supplier (in case of user) or user/distributer (in case of importer/manufacturer) of polythene flat bags

7.  Detailed Recycling Plan as per regulations 7 of the subject Regulation (only in case of manufacturer and importer).

8.  Authorization fees: Pay Order / Demand Draft of Rs. 10,000/- in favor of Director General, Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA).

Authorization Fees, as per Schedule-II of the Regulations is:

Authorization Fees

S. No.

Person Applying For Authorization

Fee
(for 01 year)

1

Manufacturer or Importer

Rs. 10,000/-

2

Primary Industrial User or Industrial User

3

Hospital User

Note that the application fee shall be levied on every type of polythene-bag product produced (in case of manufacturer) or packaged in polythene flat bag (in case of industry). Manufacturers, importers, and/or users who intend to manufacture/distribute/import/store/use polythene flat bags for the above purposes must submit their Authorization Application to federal EPA, along with authorization fees. Kindly appreciate that as per sub-regulation (4) of regulation 4 of subject Regulations, your application to import polythene flat bags into Islamabad shall not be considered unless a complete Recycling Plan is submitted to this Agency along with the above-mentioned documents. The Recycling Plan should be as per regulation 7 of the Regulations titled 'Pak-EPA Ban on (Manufacturing, Import, Sale, Purchase, Storage, and Usage) Polythene Bags Regulations, 2019'. For convenience of facilitating manufacturers and importers who are interested in applying for authorisation, a guideline has been developed to help develop the Recycling Plan, which can be downloaded from here.

Interested applicants are advised to read the Regulations carefully and the Guidelines for development of Recycling Plan before submitting their Authorization Application. In case of queries, please contact Deputy Director (Research & Investigation) of Lab/NEQS Directorate.

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