ISLAMABAD (PEN) : Punjab’s government has unveiled a pioneering *Green Credit Programme*, offering financial incentives to citizens who recycle plastic bottles—part of a broader climate-focused initiative to combat pollution and promote sustainable practices in the province.
How the Programme Works
Under the scheme, a private recycling firm will install user-friendly *reverse vending machines* at four major Lahore universities before expanding into local markets. Users insert a bottle, provide their mobile number, and receive green credits instantly—redeemable via a mobile app or in cash.
According to the company’s chairman, *Gulfam Abid*,
“By putting 20 one-and-a-half-litre bottles, and 40 half‑litre bottles in the machine, people will be able to get as much as Rs 1,000 in cash.”
He added that Lahore generates about *500 tonnes of plastic bottle waste daily*, which will now be repurposed into building materials such as sidewalks, bricks, and road repairs.
Inclusion of Junkyards and Wider Community Engagement
Beyond ordinary citizens, the programme invites 18,000 registered junkyards across Lahore to participate. These establishments can schedule bottle pickup through the app and benefit from green credits as well, Abid noted.
A Broader Green Agenda
Part of the province-wide *Chief Minister Punjab Green Credit Programme, the latest initiative builds on existing incentives for eco-friendly efforts. First launched in Lahore in May, the plan offers a **Rs 10,000 cash reward per Green Credit*, with participants earning credits through activities like tree planting, solar installations, bicycle use, and recycling ([dawn.com][1]).
Punjab’s Environment Minister, *Marriyum Aurangzeb, formally inaugurated the programme by depositing a plastic bottle into a recycling machine. The scheme initially covers **31 environmental sectors*, with 150,000 e-bikes and 500 electric buses planned for deployment from August 2025 ([dawn.com][1]).
Looking Ahead
The roll-out marks a shift from awareness campaigns to direct action. The province is investing *Rs 3 billion* in a Climate Observatory and allocating over *Rs 10 billion* for anti-smog efforts, including drone surveillance and AQI monitoring ([app.com.pk][2]). Stakeholders recognize that empowering citizens financially can accelerate waste management and climate mitigation at the grassroots level.
Why It Matters
Behavior-Driven Incentives*: By assigning monetary value to recycling, the programme transforms routine actions into tangible environmental benefits.
Technology-Enabled Transparency*: The use of mobile apps and proof-of-concept machines ensures accountability and traceability in recycling operations.
Scalable Model*: If successful in universities and markets, the programme’s framework could serve as a blueprint for broader green initiatives across Pakistan.
Punjab’s Green Credit Programme reflects a strategic pivot towards *citizen-centered climate solutions*, offering both environmental dividends and economic incentives—an innovative step in merging sustainability with everyday behaviour change.
