The Punjab government has unveiled a bold eco-initiative in partnership with a private recycling firm—offering cash rewards to citizens who recycle plastic bottles. This innovative project is a key part of the Chief Minister’s Green Credits Programme, aimed at reducing plastic waste in Lahore.
Recycling units powered by locally engineered technology with Chinese components will be installed at four major universities and several busy commercial locations next month. These interactive kiosks allow the public to trade single-use plastic bottles for immediate green credits and real money.
Operating the units is simple:
- Press Button A
- Insert the plastic bottle
- Enter your mobile number
- Press Button B
Your credits will appear instantly and can be tracked through a dedicated mobile app.
According to project partner Gulfam Abid, Lahore generates over 500 tons of plastic bottle waste daily. The collected plastic will be repurposed into useful infrastructure materials like bricks, road repair compounds, and pavement tiles.
Participants can earn up to Rs. 1,000 by recycling 20 bottles of 1.5 litres or 40 bottles of 500 ml. Moreover, the scheme includes the city’s 18,000 scrap collectors, who can also register on the app to have their collected bottles picked up and paid for directly.
Marking International Plastic Bag Free Day, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif reaffirmed the province’s dedication to banning plastic bags and promoting eco-friendly alternatives such as cloth and paper bags.
She emphasized the severe environmental and health threats posed by plastic waste, from harming aquatic life to increasing cancer risks. Awareness campaigns and strict enforcement of environmental laws are underway across Punjab’s schools, markets, and factories.
