The Scientific Panel of the Punjab Food Authority (PFA), under the direction of Director General (DG) PFA Raja Jahangir Anwar, declared that beverage producers would have to recycle their plastic bottles. By making this effort, the province hopes to lessen the effects of pollution and global warming.
Several beverage companies decided at the meeting to sell their soft drinks in PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) bottles made from food-grade recycled plastic.
With the target of reaching 50% by 2030, these businesses will initially recycle 4% of their plastic bottles. The technical aspects of using recycled PET (rPET) were also discussed by the scientific panel members during the conference.
DG Anwar continued by saying that in order to ensure the safety of customers and the environment, beverage companies will test rPET bottles in laboratories once every three months and submit reports every quarter to the regulatory body.
In order to aid businesses in their manufacturing and provide further assistance for tackling any issues, PFA will also set up a facility to test rPET plastic.
The DG expressed confidence that reusing food-safe plastic will help reduce plastic pollution, which has damaged the environment. Furthermore, Pakistan will benefit from foreign investment in the reprocessing of rPET bottles. He concluded by saying that a new action plan will be created using the recommendations of the scientific panel.
