LAHORE: Plastic recycling is considered a green industry across the globe and the government of Pakistan should grant industry status to it in order to reap maximum benefits, said Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Regional Chairman Muhammad Nadeem Qureshi.
Talking to representatives of the Polymer Waste Importers & Recycling Association (PWIRA) at the FPCCI regional office on Tuesday, Qureshi stressed that the Plastic Recycling sector held significant importance in all countries.
During the meeting PWIRA delegation highlighted the Plastic Recycling industry promises 1Billion US$ substitution with recyclables; unfortunately, the government is not supporting the plastic recycling sector.
Instead of facilitation, the government is creating hurdles in importing cheaper alternative recyclable materials which cut down the cost of doing business/manufacturing, cut down the electricity consumption by 30% and increase green substitution to enter the lucrative international export market.
Muhammad Nadeem Qureshi assured full cooperation to solve the problems and said that Pakistan’s plastic recycling industry employs over 1 million people in its ecosystem, including more than 200,000 scavengers in the plastic collection phase and in sorting, recycling and upstream phase, where finished goods are produced such as Polyester Clothing/ Textiles, Flooring, Automotives, Footwear, Agriculture, Packaging and several others.
He further said that the Recycling industry is considered a Green industry across the globe and backed by their respective governments through incentives and benefits in the shape of rebates, green loans, tax incentives, and many more. Pakistan’s situation is different; those trying to make Pakistan green and bring millions in foreign exchange for Pakistan have never been given any benefit.
Nadeem Qureshi said that plastic recycling and sustainability are directly related to a clean environment and this industry has great potential. The government should take appropriate steps to redress the problems at hand as there is an excellent opportunity for value-added finished products exports and Pakistan should take advantage.
PWIARA was represented by the FPCCI Standing Committee Convener Atif Mughal, Deputy Convener Asif Sarwar and PWIARA Former Chairman Muhammad Asif.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2022