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.
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.
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 |
|
Self and third-party |
Plot#74, street 14, Sector I-9/2, Industrial Area, Islamabad 051-4431128, 03325434934, |
|
| 2. |
AT Plastic & Pipe Store
|
Importer |
|
Self |
Flat no 1, Khan G plaza, Kalma chok, Ghori Town, Phase 5, Islamabad |
|
| 3. |
Med Life Services Recycling Plan
|
Manufacturer |
|
Self |
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 |
|
Third-party through Shamsheer Plastic |
M/s Shams Enterprises (Brand TidEaz), Shop No. 7C, Block No. 7, Business Bay, DHA-1, Sector F, Islamabad. Ph: 051-5595328
Email: sales@samsonsentp.com |
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.
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 |
|
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.