Sindh govt imposes ban on plastic shopping bags
KARACHI: The Sindh government has taken a revolutionary step to curb environmental pollution by imposing a complete ban on all types of plastic shopping bags throughout the province.
According to a notification issued by the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Coastal Development, the manufacturing, storage, sale, and use of all plastic shopping bags will be strictly prohibited across Sindh from June 15, 2025. The ban will apply to non-degradable, oxo-degradable, black-collared, and recycled plastic bags as well.
The provincial cabinet had unanimously approved the proposal during its meeting on April 15, 2025, following the recommendations of the Environment Department. Subsequently, the Sindh government amended the 'Sindh Prohibition of Non-Degradable Plastic Products (Manufacturing, Sale and Usage) Rules 2014' and introduced a complete ban on all plastic shopping bags by revising Rule 3, Sub-Rule (5), and Entry No.1 of the schedule. Previously, in 2019, the provincial government had imposed a partial ban, allowing only specific weight and size plastic bags under certain conditions. However, those exemptions have now been revoked, and a blanket ban is being enforced.
Secretary Environment Agha Shah Nawaz Khan stated that plastic bags are hazardous to the environment, and this historic decision has been taken in the public interest. 'We want to provide a clean, green, and safe environment for future generations — the time has come to permanently get rid of plastic,' he asserted. He warned that any violations of the ban will lead to strict legal action with no leniency.
Environmental experts, civil society, and citizens have widely appreciated the move and called it a landmark decision by the Sindh government.
The Secretary Environment has urged district administrations, industrialists, traders, and the general public to actively participate in this national campaign.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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Sindh govt imposes ban on plastic shopping bags
KARACHI: The Sindh government has taken a revolutionary step to curb environmental pollution by imposing a complete ban on all types of plastic shopping bags throughout the province. According to a notification issued by the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Coastal Development, the manufacturing, storage, sale, and use of all plastic shopping bags will be strictly prohibited across Sindh from June 15, 2025. The ban will apply to non-degradable, oxo-degradable, black-collared, and recycled plastic bags as well. The provincial cabinet had unanimously approved the proposal during its meeting on April 15, 2025, following the recommendations of the Environment Department. Subsequently, the Sindh government amended the 'Sindh Prohibition of Non-Degradable Plastic Products (Manufacturing, Sale and Usage) Rules 2014' and introduced a complete ban on all plastic shopping bags by revising Rule 3, Sub-Rule (5), and Entry No.1 of the schedule. Previously, in 2019, the provincial government had imposed a partial ban, allowing only specific weight and size plastic bags under certain conditions. However, those exemptions have now been revoked, and a blanket ban is being enforced. Secretary Environment Agha Shah Nawaz Khan stated that plastic bags are hazardous to the environment, and this historic decision has been taken in the public interest. 'We want to provide a clean, green, and safe environment for future generations — the time has come to permanently get rid of plastic,' he asserted. He warned that any violations of the ban will lead to strict legal action with no leniency. Environmental experts, civil society, and citizens have widely appreciated the move and called it a landmark decision by the Sindh government. The Secretary Environment has urged district administrations, industrialists, traders, and the general public to actively participate in this national campaign. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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Listen to article In a decisive step against environmental pollution, the Sindh government has officially banned all types of plastic shopping bags across the province. The decision, announced via a formal notification from the Department of Environment, Climate Change, and Coastal Development, will take effect from June 15, 2025. The ban covers all categories of plastic bags, including non-degradable, oxo-degradable, black-coloured, and recycled plastic bags. It marks a significant update to the 2014 'Sindh Prohibition of Non-Degradable Plastic Products Rules,' which have now been amended to implement this complete prohibition. The decision was unanimously approved by the provincial cabinet in its meeting held on April 15, 2025, following recommendations from the Environment Department. Previously, in 2019, the government had imposed a partial ban, allowing plastic bags of a specific weight and size. That conditional allowance has now been revoked entirely. Sindh's Environment Secretary Agha Shahnawaz Khan stated, 'Plastic bags are enemies of the environment. This historic step is in the public interest. We aim to ensure a clean, green, and safe future for coming generations. The time has come to get rid of plastic permanently.' He made it clear that violations will lead to strict legal consequences, and no leniency will be shown. Environmentalists, civil society members, and residents widely welcomed the step, calling it 'historic.' The Environment Department has also urged district administrations, industrialists, traders, and citizens to play an active role in this national cause.
