By Sumavaya Iqbal 
In a major step toward a sustainable future, the Punjab government has launched a public-private recycling initiative that offers cash rewards for plastic bottle disposal. The scheme is part of the Chief Minister’s Green Credits Program, which is focused on building eco-conscious behavior through smart incentives.
Strategic recycling stations will be installed next month in Lahore, targeting key footfall areas including four major universities and busy commercial districts. These state-of-the-art machines—featuring a hybrid of Pakistani innovation and Chinese technology—are designed to make plastic recycling easy and rewarding.
To use the machine:
- Push Button A
- Insert your empty plastic bottle
- Enter your mobile number
- Hit Button B
The system will display your earned green credits, which can be converted to cash via the linked mobile app.
According to Gulfam Abid, chairman of the partnering company, this initiative will help manage the 500 tons of plastic bottles generated daily in Lahore. The retrieved materials will be recycled into construction-grade products including tiles, bricks, and road material.
Citizens can earn up to Rs. 1,000 for submitting either 20 large (1.5L) bottles or 40 small (0.5L) ones. Furthermore, the platform includes Lahore’s 18,000 informal recyclers, who can now register and earn direct payments for their collections.
In her remarks on Plastic Bag Free Day, CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif declared Punjab’s firm stance on replacing plastic bags with sustainable alternatives. She noted that plastic pollution is endangering soil fertility, public health, and marine ecosystems.
Punjab is rolling out a robust awareness campaign across educational institutions and communities while implementing strict compliance protocols in industrial and retail sectors to reduce plastic use.