Karachi: The Sindh government has announced a province-wide ban on the manufacture, sale, stockpiling, and use of all types of plastic carrier and shopping bags, effective from June 15, 2025. This significant move is part of the provincial government’s ongoing efforts to address the growing plastic pollution crisis that is affecting the region.

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The ban, which includes non-degradable, oxo-degradable, black-colored, and recycled plastic bags, will apply to all such products regardless of size or thickness. A formal notification was issued by the Environment, Climate Change, and Coastal Development Department (ECC&CDD), with the directive instructing relevant government departments to begin enforcement immediately.

This decision comes after the Sindh cabinet’s formal approval on April 15, and the official notification on April 30. The new regulations are enacted under the Sindh Prohibition of Non-Degradable Plastic Products Rules 2014 and Section 14(3) of the Sindh Environmental Protection Act 2014. The government aims to combat the environmental hazards posed by plastic waste, which has become a significant public health and ecological issue.

Sindh’s move is in line with growing national and global concerns about plastic pollution. The environmental impact of plastic waste is alarming, as it is choking urban centers, contaminating food and water sources, and causing irreversible damage to wildlife. Senator Sherry Rehman, Chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change, raised alarms on International Day of Zero Waste in March, warning that plastic waste is increasingly polluting Pakistan’s cities, rivers, and water bodies. The Indus River has even been ranked as the second most plastic-polluted river globally.

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In her statement, Senator Rehman highlighted that Pakistan generates 49.6 million tons of solid waste annually, with only a mere 1% of plastic waste being recycled, compared to 9% globally. The remaining plastic waste ends up in landfills, drains, and rivers, exacerbating the country’s waste management issues. Pakistan’s consumption of plastic bags is another alarming statistic, with approximately 55 billion plastic bags used annually, a number expected to rise by 15% each year.

This ban aims to reduce the volume of plastic waste and push for cleaner, more sustainable alternatives. However, Senator Rehman called for comprehensive systemic reforms to tackle the root causes of plastic waste, rather than just implementing bans. The plastic crisis is not just an environmental issue but also a public health concern, as it leads to waste-related diseases and a collapse of sanitation systems in urban areas.

The Sindh government’s ban is expected to have a significant impact on plastic bag usage in the province. Local businesses and residents will need to adapt by seeking more sustainable alternatives, such as cloth or paper bags, to comply with the new rules. Authorities have expressed their commitment to ensuring that the ban is enforced effectively to reduce plastic pollution in Sindh and to set a positive precedent for the rest of the country.

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As the deadline for enforcement approaches, stakeholders are urging the government to ensure a smooth transition to alternative materials and provide businesses with the support needed to comply with the ban. The Sindh government’s decision reflects a growing awareness and effort to address plastic pollution, which has become a pressing environmental challenge in Pakistan.

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