he Punjab government has announced a complete ban on plastic bags across the province, effective from June 5. This decision is part of a broader initiative to combat plastic pollution and protect human health and the environment.

The ban has been implemented in all sectors, including government schools, where students are no longer allowed to bring items in plastic bags and canteens are prohibited from using them. The government has planned a public awareness campaign to educate citizens about the harmful effects of plastic bags and promote the use of eco-friendly alternatives. To support this transition, subsidies are to be provided to businesses that switch to more sustainable options.

Single-use plastic bags pose a significant threat to the environment, wildlife and human well-being. These bags contribute to pollution, littering landscapes and clogging waterways. Their non-biodegradable nature means that they persist for centuries, accumulating in landfills and oceans and breaking down into microplastics that contaminate the food chain. Wildlife suffers as animals ingest or become entangled in these bags, leading to injuries and fatalities. Human health is also at risk due to the toxic chemicals present in plastic bags, which can leach into soil and water, potentially contaminating food sources. The economic costs of cleaning up plastic bag pollution and the negative impact on tourism-dependent economies further underscore the urgent need to reduce their use and transition to sustainable alternatives.

The adverse effects of the SUPB are profound, affecting both the environment and public health. In cities like Karachi, discarded plastic bags clog drainage systems, leading to severe urban flooding during monsoon seasons. This blockage exacerbates water stagnation, providing breeding grounds for mosquitoes and increasing the incidence of vector-borne diseases such as dengue fever and malaria. Additionally, plastic bags pollute rivers and coastal areas, threatening marine life and ecosystems, which are vital for local fisheries and biodiversity. The improper disposal of plastic often results in open burning, releasing toxic chemicals into the air, contributing to respiratory problems and other health issues for the local population.

Recycling is a viable option for managing plastic waste, but recycling SUPB presents significant challenges.

Shopping bags made from low-density polyethylene are technically recyclable. However, their high volume-to-weight ratio and low financial returns make it economically impractical for the recycling chain—from waste-pickers to industrial recyclers—to collect and process these materials. In cities like Karachi, waste-pickers often overlook LDPE bags due to their minimal financial benefit.

Given the environmental hazards posed by the SUPB and the limited options for recycling them, a ban appears to be the only viable policy response. However, while the intent behind the ban is commendable, enforcing it will undoubtedly be a formidable challenge. Maintaining law and order in Pakistan is already a significant issue. The infrastructure is largely outdated and under-resourced, with only a few notable exceptions. In this situation, expecting environmental regulatory bodies to effectively enforce the ban is unrealistic. Moreover, in the currently tense political atmosphere, no government is likely to push too hard on this issue without risking considerable political capital, especially for the sake of an environmental cause, which dwindles into insignificance amid rising political tensions.

Enforcing a ban on the SUPB is particularly challenging due to the significant advantages that make them the preferred choice for shopping. These bags are highly durable, lightweight and cost-effective. The retailers typically do not explicitly add their cost to the bill. Their convenience and practicality make them difficult to replace, thereby posing a substantial hurdle to effective enforcement of the ban.

Continued use of the SUPB has a straightforward economic logic. All alternatives to the SUPB are more expensive. Polypropylene non-woven reusable bags, generally available in large superstores and upscale retail outlets, typically cost Rs 10 per bag. There are several issues with these. First, they are expensive, making them less accessible to the average consumer. Second, despite being marketed as reusable, they are often not reused frequently, undermining their intended environmental benefits. Third, the environmental hazards associated with polypropylene bags are significant. Their environmental footprint may, in fact, be higher than that of the SUPB. These factors make the enforcement of a ban on SUPB both economically and environmentally complex.

The Punjab government has effectively engaged educational institutions at all levels to ensure the success of its plastic bag ban. The School Education Department has banned plastic bags in all government schools to combat plastic pollution. The policy includes prohibiting plastic bags in canteens and cafeterias, promoting green practices like planting trees and creating urban forests and installing colour-coded bins for proper waste disposal. The Ministry of Climate Change has also asked the Higher Education Commission to phase out the SUPB at universities. The HEC is leading an awareness campaign on the Single-Use Plastics (Prohibition) Regulations 2023. This includes educational programmes, seminars, workshops and research projects to promote sustainable alternatives and compliance with the regulations.

Educating a nation is a long-term process, but some behavioural interventions can yield quick results. In the absence of strict enforcement, long-term measures such as changes in the curriculum are essential. However, short-term measures, including various behavioural interventions, can rapidly influence public behaviour. These interventions, especially when designed to resonate with the population’s values and beliefs, can quickly reduce SUPB use and promote more sustainable practices.

Nudges can significantly reduce SUPB consumption, especially where enforcement is weak. In Pakistan, the enforcement of plastic bag bans has faced challenges due to limited resources and fiscal constraints. Traditional methods often fail due to regulatory limitations and public resistance. Here, nudges offer a cost-effective, less aggressive alternative by subtly encouraging behavioural changes without heavy enforcement. Small financial disincentives, such as plastic bag charges, and non-monetary nudges like free reusable bags or awareness campaigns, have proven effective in reducing plastic usage.

Combining these nudges with enforcement can further enhance their impact. While nudges alone can drive significant behavioural shifts, their effectiveness increases when backed by regulatory measures. The dual approach ensures that behavioural changes are not only initiated but also sustained, addressing environmental concerns and overcoming economic and social challenges associated with bans and levies. Thus, implementing nudges alongside enforcement can lead to a more comprehensive and effective strategy for reducing the SUPB in resource-constrained settings.

Nudges to reduce the SUPB can take various forms, such as informational and religious. Informational nudges educate the public about the negative impacts of plastic bags and promote eco-friendly alternatives like paper, cloth, or jute bags. Religious nudges, on the other hand, use scriptural teachings to frame environmental actions as moral and spiritual duties. Given that a majority of Pakistanis deeply resonate with religious teachings, these nudges can be particularly effective. By connecting the avoidance of plastic bags with religious principles of purity and environmental stewardship, these nudges can inspire significant behavioural changes among the population, aligning everyday actions with their faith.

A recent study by the World Bank and the Higher Education Commission has shown that in Islamabad Capital Territory, nudges can significantly reduce SUPB use. The study found that combining enforcement with nudges, including informational and religious messages, led to an even greater reduction of 4.77 per cent. This suggests that using a mix of regulatory actions and persuasive communication is especially effective in cutting down plastic bag consumption.

The Punjab government’s ban is a commendable step to curb plastic pollution. However, its effective implementation might face significant challenges. Combining strict enforcement with behavioural nudges, such as informational and religious appeals, can enhance compliance.

The writer is a tenured associate professor and head of the Department of Economics, COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus