Impacts of non-degradable plastic bags on environment: remediations through legislation and effective enforcement mechanism.

Abstract

Plastic bags have penetrated deep into our society and on average, every single person has come into their contact on daily basis. This makes it hard to curb their consumption and is one the biggest environmental challenge for governments and implementing authorities. Many countries have applied national approaches to tackle with the issues. Different strategies were adopted including, bans, taxation and charging the consumers. Ireland and Bangladesh have significantly limited the use of plastic bags in country through taxation and bans respectively. Pakistan recently became 128th country to bring legislation against use of plastic bags. Pakistan has devised different laws and policies to limit the use of plastic bags. According to the Polythene Bags Ordinance 2002, the use of any polythene bag (black or otherwise) of less than fifteen microns in thickness is prohibited and its use, manufacture or import is prohibited. In April 2019, Pakistan’s government brought a radical change in implementation of environmental laws related plastic bags. A ban on usage of disposable plastic bags in Islamabad and surrounding areas, including Saidpur was instituted by Pak-EPA, which is in effect from 14th August 2019. Enforcement of environmental laws and national policies is one of the major administrative challenges in Pakistan. This challenge can be attributed to the financial or technical constraints or due to lack of resources, capacity or will for sustainable development and environmental protection. To reduce the environmental impacts of plastic bags, proper collection, storage and disposal is mandatory. There is dire need to exceed the access of management practices in urban and rural areas. Plastic waste disposal to freshwater streams and eventually oceans needs to be prohibited.