By Our Correspondent
LAHORE – Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has unveiled an innovative plan for waste disposal across the province. In the first phase, the government has approved the implementation of the “Smart Waste Management Process” in public and private educational institutions.
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Under the scheme, five color-coded dustbins will be installed in schools to ensure proper segregation of waste. Senior Minister for Environment and Climate Change Marriyum Aurangzeb will oversee the project, while Education Minister Rana Sikandar and Local Government Minister Zeeshan Malik have been assigned specific targets.
The deadline for placing bins in all schools has been set for September 30, with inspections starting from October 1. Institutions failing to comply will face fines, according to an official notification issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The waste segregation plan includes:
• Yellow bins – Paper and cardboard
• Green bins – Bottles, glass pieces, lab waste
• Grey bins – Fruit peels, leftover food, leaves, rotten vegetables
• Red bins – Iron and other metal waste
• Orange bins – Plastic waste
The collected waste will be recycled to reduce garbage and encourage eco-friendly practices.
Educational institutions can also contact the Punjab Management Helpline (1139) for waste collection. The Local Government and Community Development Department will assist in managing the bins, while EPA teams will inspect institutions to ensure compliance. Schools meeting the set standards will be awarded official certificates.
