With Pakistan being one of the most affected countries by climate change, the nation has adopted various measures to tackle this challenge and mitigate its repercussions. One such notable initiative is the Punjab government’s Green Credit Programme.
The programme aims to lay the foundation for an emission trading system in Punjab, while also mobilizing youth, students, women, and the broader community to undertake positive environmental actions.
Innovative Recycling Machines and Economic Incentives
As part of this initiative, the government has signed an agreement with a private company to recycle single-use plastic. This company will install locally manufactured machines, incorporating Chinese technology, in four major universities in Lahore next month. These machines will subsequently be installed in various markets across the city.
This user-friendly machine consists of two compartments. Citizens can simply press button A, insert a plastic bottle, enter their phone number, and then press button B. Upon completion, green credits will appear on the machine’s screen, which can also be viewed via a dedicated mobile application.
According to Gulfam Abid, Chairman of the private company, 500 tonnes of plastic bottle waste are generated daily. These machines will ensure that plastic bottles and single-use plastic utensils are recycled, which will then be utilized to create sidewalks, bricks, and for road patchwork.
Abid further highlighted that by inserting 20 one-and-a-half-liter bottles and 40 half-liter bottles into the machine, individuals can receive up to Rs 1,000 in cash. He added that not only ordinary citizens but also Lahore’s 18,000 junkyards will be able to benefit from these green credits, noting that they can reach out via the mobile application, and the company itself will collect bottles from them.
