‘International Plastic Bag-Free Day’ observed

LAHORE:The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) Punjab held a number of seminars and awareness sessions along with walks in all over Punjab to commemorate 'International Plastic Bag-Free Day' here on Wednesday.

International Plastic Bag-Free Day, commemorated annually on the 3rd July, was an important day that prompted citizens to quest their reliance on plastics and explore ways to reduce their dangerous effects on our planet.

The hidden problem of plastic use worsens daily as it accumulates in landfills, with people often unaware of the damage caused by plastic bags to the Earth. Plastic bags take nearly 150 years to decompose, releasing harmful toxins into the air, which can lead to adverse environmental conditions. Director General Environment Protection Agency (EPA) Punjab Imran Hamid Sheikh visited various places here and checked the ongoing plastic campaign by EPA Special Squads.

As per spokesman for EPA Punjab, from June 5, 2024 till July 02, 2024, EPA special teams conducted 24,523 raids, out of which, 1,987 raids were conducted in provincial capital and 1,002 kg plastic bags were seized by EPA teams. EPA DG Imran Hamid said that EPA Punjab was using all its resources to eliminate the single use plastic bags and the campaign was getting speed day by day.