LAHORE — The Punjab Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has officially prohibited all commercial establishments across the province from charging consumers for plastic shopping bags, a directive set to take full effect on September 6, 2026.
Cracking Down on the “Branded Bag” Profit Loophole
In a formal notification, EPA Director General Imran Hamid Sheikh targeted a growing commercial trend where retailers exploit plastic bags as branded, revenue-generating products. The environmental watchdog noted that businesses have been charging high prices for these bags, which has inadvertently driven up plastic production and actively discouraged the adoption of eco-friendly, reusable materials.
Punjab retailers will no longer be allowed to charge customers for plastic shopping bags from September 6 under a new EPA order 🧵 pic.twitter.com/3EVBTOWbfE
— ProPakistani (@ProPakistaniPK) July 6, 2026
New Mandates for Eco-Friendly Alternatives
Under the new regulatory framework, no shop, retail center, restaurant, hotel, or commercial entity will be permitted to attach a fee to standard plastic bags during a transaction. Instead, commercial establishments are strictly limited to charging prices only for genuine reusable or recyclable shopping bags made from alternative, non-plastic materials such as cloth, jute, or paper. Alongside the retail restrictions, the EPA has urged consumers to minimize their day-to-day reliance on single-use plastics and adopt responsible waste management habits.
Heavy Fines and Business Sealing for Violators
The provincial government has warned of aggressive enforcement once the September 6 deadline passes. Businesses found violating the ban will face substantial financial penalties ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 50,000. Furthermore, for severe non-compliance or repeat offenses, authorities have the mandate to immediately seal the business premises and register a First Information Report (FIR) against the owners.
This pricing ban is part of an ongoing, accelerated environmental campaign across Punjab aimed at establishing plastic-free zones in major commercial hubs. To complement this move, the EPA is also finalizing a complete province-wide ban on all thin plastic bags below 75 microns, which will be rolled out over the coming weeks to systematically curb plastic pollution.
