Plastic waste has become a global crisis, and Pakistan is no exception. According to a report by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Pakistan is among the top countries in the world that are most affected by plastic pollution. Pakistan has one of the highest percentages of mismanaged plastic in South Asia.
More than 3.3 million tonnes of plastic are wasted each year in Pakistan. In Gilgit-Baltistan, plastic waste is a significant problem, especially in the tourism industry, where a huge number of tourists visit every year and often leave behind plastic waste. Besides this, plastic waste occupies a major portion of solid waste in G-B due to its wide use. This waste is openly dumped or burned for heating purposes, especially in winter, which is responsible for emissions of obnoxious gases, posing a threat to vegetation, human and animal health, and the environment as a whole. Gilgit City is grappling with a significant environmental and financial burden due to the excessive use of single-use plastic shopping bags. Every year, the city consumes an alarming 11 tonnes of these bags, costing an estimated 60 million rupees.
On a per-kilogram basis, these bags cost anywhere between 450 to 500 rupees, adding up to a staggering 4.95 million rupees in monthly consumption alone. Annually, the cost of these bags is a staggering 59.4 million rupees, which is roughly 60 million rupees.
But the financial burden is just the tip of the iceberg. The environmental cost of these bags is even more staggering. Approximately 20.46 million tons of these bags are discarded into the environment, causing severe damage to the ecosystem.
The ultimate fate of this huge chunk of plastic waste is “Bukhari” traditional heating stoves or open dumps in water channels, streets, and open fields.
It’s time for us to come together and make a change by reducing the use of these harmful single-use plastic bags in Gilgit city and opting for more eco-friendly alternatives for a sustainable future.
The Role of EPA
But there is hope. Gilgit-Baltistan Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in collaboration with Line departments, NGOs, Communities, and the private sector has taken a step forward to eliminate single-use plastic from the region under the project named “Phasing out Plastic Bags in Gilgit-Baltistan through Promotion of Smart Shopping Bags” by introducing the Green Businesses Development initiative. The aim of the project is to preserve the natural environment of GB by phasing-out polythene bags and by promoting local entrepreneurs to promote cloth, paper, and other eco-friendly bags. In this regard, the ban on single-use plastic shopping bags has been implemented in Gilgit City from 1st January 2023. To maximize the social and environmental benefits of the project interventions, “Green Businesses” would be incubated by supporting existing entrepreneurs by providing interest-free loans. The initiative, which is currently in the implementation stage, aims to provide interest-free loans of up to PKR 96 million to local enterprises that will work to make Eco-friendly bags i.e., cloth, paper, and nonwoven bags. This initiative is not only a response to the plastic waste problem but also a response to the challenges posed by climate change in Gilgit-Baltistan.
The Green Businesses initiative is a major step forward in the fight against plastic waste in Gilgit-Baltistan. Once the loan initiative is implemented, the local enterprises will be required to use eco-friendly materials, and also have to comply with the regulations set by GB-EPA in terms of waste management, energy consumption, and emissions. Furthermore, the initiative will also provide training to the enterprises for the implementation of circular economy principles and to promote sustainable production methods.
Say No to Single-Use Plastics: Switch to Reusable Alternatives
Plastic bags made from petroleum or natural gas are a major contributor to pollution and take hundreds of years to degrade. Non-woven bags, also known as reusable bags, are a sustainable alternative that are biodegradable, compostable, and made from recyclable materials like polypropylene. It is evident from the studies that non-woven bags consume less energy and materials and releases fewer greenhouse gases (GHG) than other types of shopping bags. Reusable plastics, like water bottles and food storage containers, have a lower impact on the environment than disposable plastics when used responsibly and recycled properly. To minimize the environmental impact of plastics, it’s important to reduce single-use plastics and promote reusable alternatives, as well as education on proper disposal and recycling.
A Circular Economy Approach Towards a Sustainable Gilgit-Baltistan
The use of plastic in Gilgit-Baltistan was almost non-existent before the 1990s. Instead, locals relied on traditional materials such as cloth or willow bags. Implementing a plastic ban in the region would have numerous benefits, both economically and environmentally. It would support local businesses by promoting the use of locally-made alternatives such as cloth or paper bags and encourage a circular economy. Additionally, it would save the region an estimated 60 million rupees that would otherwise be spent on importing plastic. The environmental benefits would also be substantial. With an average of .5 million tourists visiting Gilgit-Baltistan each year, if each visitor were to use just three plastic bags, that would amount to 1.5 million plastic bags ending up in the environment. By implementing a plastic ban and promoting eco-friendly alternatives, the local economy would be supported and the region would become more attractive to tourists. The Gilgit-Baltistan Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is also taking steps to hold multinational companies accountable for plastic pollution and require them to give back to this initiative through Corporate Social Responsibility.
This initiative can prove to boost the concept of a circular economy within an otherwise unsustainable environment. Supported by the fact that the region of Gilgit-Baltistan does not encompass any manufacturing of plastic products, the amount of plastic found within the region is unreasonable. This concept of circular economy can prove to be beneficial for employment purposes across the region through the adoption of sustainable and environment friendly alternatives.
Furthermore, Gilgit-Baltistan receives more than its residential capacity of tourists within the span of a few months each year, thus bringing in a whole new hoard of plastic bags adding to the already humongous numbers. If sustainable solutions are adopted across the region, this issue can be fixed, however, for this to happen the Plastic Ban has to be implemented rigorously.
The circular economy approach promotes reusable materials, closing the loop on the use and disposal of plastic products. This model has been successful in many countries such as France, where a law was passed in 2016 that ban disposable plastic plates, cups, and cutlery. It also put into place an extended producer responsibility, obligating manufacturers to finance the collection and recycling of their products.
Conclusion
But the fight against plastic waste is not just the responsibility of local businesses. Each and every one of us has a role to play. By choosing to use reusable water bottles, shopping bags, and containers, we can reduce our own plastic waste. Supporting local businesses that use eco-friendly alternative options is also a great way to make a difference. By working together, we can build a cleaner and more sustainable future for Gilgit-Baltistan.
The Green Businesses initiative is an important step towards addressing the plastic waste, complexity in Gilgit-Baltistan and addressing the challenges posed by climate change in the region. The initiative is currently in the implementation stage, and with the support of local businesses and the community, it has the potential to make a significant impact on reducing plastic waste and promoting sustainable practices. It’s important to keep in mind that this initiative is not a one-time solution, but a continuous effort that requires the participation and commitment of all sectors of society. With this initiative in place, we can work towards a greener and more sustainable Gilgit-Baltistan.
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