LAHORE: Shoppers will not pay for plastic shopping bags anymore, as the government has stopped shops, shopping malls, retail outlets, hotels, and restaurants from doing so.
The decision has been taken by the provincial government of Punjab and the order would come into force on September 6, 2026, and all businesses covered by the policy will be required to follow the new rules. Under the official notification, no business will be allowed to collect any price, fee, or additional charge for plastic shopping bags provided at the time of sale.
However, the restriction does not apply to reusable and eco-friendly shopping bags. Retailers can continue selling bags made from cloth, paper, cotton, cardboard, or other recyclable materials and may charge customers for them. The move is aimed at encouraging the adoption of sustainable alternatives while discouraging the use of single-use plastic bags.
The authorities have directed the commercial establishments to comply with the government’s environmental policy, adding the new policy does not prevent businesses from selling environmentally friendly shopping bags.
Terming it a big move, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hopes the order will encourage both businesses and consumers to adopt greener shopping habits while reducing the environmental impact of single-use plastics. The provincial government says the new policy is another step toward reducing plastic waste, protecting the environment, and promoting the use of reusable shopping bags across Punjab.
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