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Akistan, like many other countries, is a growing crisis – plastic waste. Since we observe the International Day of Zero waste on March 30, it is important to admit that plastic pollution is not just an environmental problem. It is an economic, social and political challenge that calls for an immediate, comprehensive solution. Although the only use of Canada offers a valuable lesson with plastics, Pakistan’s context requires a suitable approach – which is factors in the limits of economic obstacles, public awareness and infrastructure. The question we should ask ourselves is, are we willing to explain the convenience for the sake of stability?
In the last 30 years, plastic consumption has increased globally. The recycling rate is extraordinarily low. Only nine percent of plastic waste worldwide is successfully recycled. In many countries, these figures are even less. The rest ends in the form of landfills, rivers, pollution -spread cities and microplastics in the form of food chain. Unlike developed countries, where the garbage management systems offer a sign of control, Pakistan faces a dual challenge: excessive use of plastic and broken waste waste system. This is why ban should work together for restrictions, privileges and behavior changes.
Developed countries like Canada have tried many strategies. Some of them have been successful. Others have flared up against public resistance. Cities such as Montreal and Benf have imposed a ban on single -use plastics, including cups, cutlery, straw and polysturnne containers, which have significant rates of compliance. Other, such as Vancouver and Calgary, have had to cancel some rules and regulations due to reactions and inequality. These experiments highlight the fact that although regulatory measures are necessary, the effectiveness of plastic ban depends on cultural preparations, economic privileges and alternative infrastructure. Pakistan has also taken certain steps, such as banning plastic bags in major cities. However, the implementation has been weak. If we want to take zero waste seriously, we have to re -consider the entire point of view. Not only ban plastics but also create an environmental system where sustainable choices become pre -determined.
An extremely controversial example of resistance to plastics has come from the United States, where President Donald Trump has made fun of environmental efforts, withdrawing the paper straw. Again has become a political statement against the environmental regulations of the plastic plastics, appealing to those who view the ban on plastic as a violation of personal freedoms. It indicates a basic truth: plastic is not just a material. Not only is it a deep habit of strengthening through economics and ideology. Pakistan should go carefully to avoid similar losses. We have to raise awareness of plastic risks and to prevent businesses and consumers to formally move towards stability.
Benf’s modern “Ask First” policy, in which the restaurant just needs to provide straws and cutlery items, is a small but effective step towards reducing waste. A similar model can work in Pakistan, where most of the food stalls, restaurants and grocery stores are given disposable plastics independently. If consumers have to ask for plastic bags instead of automatically receiving, use will decrease. Similarly, nationwide push for reflux containers and bottle return programs can help cope with the growing wave of plastic waste. In Benf, tourists can borrow reusable cups and return to participating locations. This system can be copied to Pakistani citizen centers, including high foot traffic, such as the Liberty Market of Lahore or Karachi.
Plastic pollution directly affects the public, damages agricultural productivity and increases climate change. Issues that influence inappropriately developing countries like Pakistan.
The economic argument to reduce plastic waste is like the environment. Plastic pollution cleaning cost – cleaning the filled drains, managing land full full overflower and reducing flood risks – is surprised. Cities like Lahore, which are suffering from a plastic -linked drainage system, can dramatically reduce the cost of damage to infrastructure with better plastic management policies. A well -designed economic model that taxes the single use plastics while giving subsidy to sustainable alternatives can have a significant impact. The Quebec town, Provost, has launched an ecosystem on disposable items, which shows that financial disputes can be far more effective than a total restriction. In Pakistan, where the plastic waste is deepened in everyday life, imposing a small compensation on disposable packaging can attract users to reusable options.
Beyond policy interference, Pakistan’s garbage management puzzle is an important lost piece of community. Although Canada has focused on regulatory compliance, Pakistan needs a cultural change where stability becomes a joint responsibility. The informal waste department already plays an important role in plastic recycling. It works without formal identity or help. In integrating, providing safety clothes, providing them with waste pickers into municipal waste programs, and ensuring proper compensation can not only improve recycling performance, but can also develop one of the most weakest sections of society.
Technology and business personality also has to play a role. Startups around the world are transforming garbage into wealth, producing alternative materials from environmental bricks, biodegradable packaging and agricultural waste. Pakistan, with its growing startup ecosystem, should encourage innovations that provide alternative to plastics. Universities and research institutes should take steps to produce alternatives to costly, locally manufactured, locally manufactured plastics. If companies can make a bioded straudable straw in Indonesia with sugarcane waste, why can’t Pakistan use wheat chefs or rice straw to make sustainable packaging?
Despite the rush, the biggest obstacle to development remains the idea that the environmental process is a luxury that developing countries cannot tolerate. This mentality is flawed and dangerous. Plastic pollution directly affects the public, damages agricultural productivity and increases climate change. Issues that influence inappropriately developing countries like Pakistan. The correct question is not whether we can afford to act but can we not tolerate.
The path of zero waste is neither easy nor straight. Pakistan does not need to close Canada’s policies. However, it should adopt a very effective strategy for local facts. The policies should be done slowly, ensuring that it is time to adjust business and consumers. Public awareness campaigns have reinforced the idea that stability is not a concern for the elite, with a change in any policy.
As we observe the International Day of Zero Waste, Pakistan should take this opportunity to re -consider its plastic issue from a new perspective. Instead of restricting reaction and chasing short-term policies, we need a long-term vision-which accepts innovation, encourages responsible behavior and promotes a culture where stability is of other nature. Now is the time to ban plastics and instead ask: What kind of future do we want to make?
The author is a policy analyst and researcher who holds a master’s degree in public policy from Kings College, London.
