Plastic pollution in Pakistan is no longer just an environmental hazard, it’s an economic, social, and governance crisis in the making. From the heart of urban centres to the depths of rural landscapes, plastic waste is choking natural resources, damaging livelihoods, and exposing regulatory blind spots.

According to the United Nations Development Programme Intelligence Report (2021) titled ‘Rethinking Pakistan’s Relationship with Plastics’, Pakistan produces more than 3.3 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, a substantial portion of which is mismanaged.

While plastic is cheap and durable, its long-term costs are overwhelming. In Punjab’s Khanewal district, farmers complain of blocked irrigation channels due to plastic waste. “We have no waste pickup. We either burn it or let it pile up,” said Shabbir Ahmed, a cotton grower in Jahanian, a city within the district. Burning creates toxic air pollution, but villagers lack viable alternatives.

In Lahore’s Shahdara neighborhood, informal waste pickers, primarily women and children sort garbage without safety gear. “It’s dangerous but we need the money,” said 14-year-old Shagufta, collecting bottles for resale. These individuals are the silent workforce of Pakistan’s recycling system, who operate without rights, recognition, or security.

In Gujranwala’s market areas,

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