akistan, like many other nations, is grappling with a mounting crisis - plastic waste. As we observe the International Day of Zero Waste on March 30, it is imperative to recognise that plastic pollution is not merely an environmental issue; it is an economic, social and political challenge that demands urgent, comprehensive solutions. While Canada’s battle with single-use plastics offers valuable lessons, Pakistan’s context requires a tailored approach - one that factors in economic constraints, public awareness and infrastructure limitations. The question we must ask ourselves is: are we willing to redefine convenience for the sake of sustainability?

Plastic consumption has increased globally, quadrupling over the last 30 years. Recycling rates remain abysmally low. A mere nine percent of plastic waste worldwide is successfully recycled. In many countries, this figure is even lower. The rest ends up in landfills, clogging rivers, polluting cities and infiltrating the food chain in the form of microplastics. Unlike developed nations, where waste management systems offer a semblance of control, Pakistan faces a dual challenge: excessive plastic consumption and a broken waste disposal system. This is why bans, incentives and behavioural shifts must work in tandem.

Developed countries like Canada have attempted several strategies. Some of those have succeeded. Others have floundered in the face of public resistance. Cities like Montreal and Banff have implemented ambitious bans on single-use plastics, including cups, cutlery, straws and polystyrene containers, with remarkable compliance rates. Others, like Vancouver and Calgary, have had to repeal certain regulations due to backlash and impracticality. These experiences highlight the fact that while regulatory measures are essential, the effectiveness of plastic bans depends on cultural readiness, economic incentives and alternative infrastructure. Pakistan, too, has taken certain steps, such as a ban on plastic bags in major cities. However, the enforcement has been weak. If we are to take zero waste seriously, we must rethink the entire approach; not just prohibit plastics but also create an ecosystem where sustainable choices become the default.

One of the most controversial examples of resistance to plastic bans has come from the United States, where President Donald Trump openly mocked environmental efforts by rolling back on Paper Straws. The reusable plastic straws have become a political statement against environmental regulations, appealing to those who see plastic bans as an infringement on personal freedoms. This underscores a fundamental truth: plastic is not just a material but also a deeply ingrained habit reinforced by economics and ideology. Pakistan must tread carefully to avoid similar pitfalls. To avoid triggering defiance by imposing outright bans, we must raise awareness pertaining to plastic hazards and incentivise businesses and consumers to shift toward sustainability organically.

Banff’s innovative “ask-first” policy, which requires restaurants to provide items like straws and cutlery only if requested, is a small but effective step toward reducing waste. A similar model could work in Pakistan, where disposable plastic is handed out freely at most food stalls, restaurants and grocery stores. If customers had to ask for a plastic bag instead of receiving one automatically, use would decline. Likewise, a nationwide push for refill containers and bottle return programmes could help tackle the rising tide of plastic waste. In Banff, tourists can borrow reusable cups and return them at participating locations. The system could be replicated in Pakistani urban centers with high foot traffic, such as Lahore’s Liberty Market or Karachi’s Saddar.

Plastic pollution directly affects public health, damages agricultural productivity and exacerbates climate change; problems that disproportionately impact developing nations like Pakistan. 

The economic argument for reducing plastic waste is just as compelling as the environmental one. The cost of cleaning plastic pollution - clearing clogged drains, managing landfill overflows and mitigating flood risks - is staggering. Cities like Lahore, which suffer from urban flooding exacerbated by plastic-clogged drainage systems, could dramatically cut infrastructure damage costs with better plastic management policies. A well-designed economic model that taxes single-use plastics while subsidising sustainable alternatives could make a significant impact. The Quebec town of Prévost has pioneered an eco-tax on disposable items, demonstrating that financial nudges can be more effective than outright bans. In Pakistan, where plastic waste is deeply embedded in daily life, imposing a small charge on disposable packaging could nudge consumers toward reusable options.

Beyond policy interventions, a crucial missing piece in Pakistan’s waste management puzzle is community engagement. While Canada has focused on regulatory compliance, Pakistan needs a cultural shift where sustainability becomes a shared responsibility. The informal waste-picking sector already plays a critical role in plastic recycling. It operates without formal recognition or support. Integrating waste pickers into municipal waste programmes, providing them with protective gear and ensuring fair compensation can not only improve recycling efficiency but also uplift one of the most vulnerable segments of society.

Technology and entrepreneurship also have a role to play. Start-ups around the world are transforming waste into wealth, producing eco-bricks, biodegradable packaging and alternative materials from agricultural waste. Pakistan, with its growing start-up ecosystem, should encourage innovations that provide alternatives to plastic. Universities and research institutions must step in to develop cost-effective, locally produced substitutes for single-use plastics. If companies can make biodegradable straws from sugarcane waste in Indonesia, why can’t Pakistan use wheat chaff or rice husks to create sustainable packaging?

Despite the urgency, one of the biggest barriers to progress remains the perception that environmental action is a luxury that developing countries cannot afford. This mindset is flawed and dangerous. Plastic pollution directly affects public health, damages agricultural productivity and exacerbates climate change; problems that disproportionately impact developing nations like Pakistan. The right question is not whether we can afford to act but whether we can afford not to.

The road to zero waste is neither easy nor straightforward. Pakistan does not need to copy Canadian policies blindly. It should however adapt the most effective strategies to local realities. Policies should be phased in gradually, ensuring that businesses and consumers have time to adjust. Public awareness campaigns must accompany any policy change, reinforcing the idea that sustainability is not an elite concern but a national necessity.

As we observe the International Day of Zero Waste, Pakistan must take this opportunity to rethink its plastic problem from a fresh perspective. Rather than chasing reactive bans and short-lived policies, we need a long-term vision - one that embraces innovation, incentivises responsible behavior and fosters a culture where sustainability is second nature. It is time to move beyond the question of whether banning plastics is feasible and instead ask: what kind of future do we want to create?

The writer is a policy analyst and researcher with a master’s degree in public policy from King’s College, London.