KEY POINTS
- Lahore administration has launched an eco-friendly initiative using Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) that reward citizens with “Green Credit” for recycling plastic bottles
- Participants can earn up to Rs1,000 per kilogram of recycled plastic, transforming plastic waste into a valuable resource rather than pollution
- The RVMs use advanced sensors to accept only plastic and allow users to track their credits via a mobile app, which also connects them to waste dealers for convenient plastic collection
- Recycled plastic will be repurposed into raw materials for footpaths, road repairs, and eco-friendly bricks
ISLAMABAD: Lahore, the capital of Pakistan’s Punjab province, has launched a new initiative to reduce plastic pollution by rewarding residents for recycling their used plastic bottles.
The scheme, started on 30 June, uses advanced Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) that offer financial incentives to those who deposit empty plastic bottles, encouraging greater participation in waste recycling.
Earn while you recycle
Under this ground-breaking program, participants can earn up to Rs1,000 in “Green Credit” per kilogram of plastic recycled — roughly equivalent to 20 one-and-a-half-litre plastic bottles.
This unique incentive system aims to change the urban waste narrative by turning plastic from an environmental menace into a valuable resource.
How it works
Residents simply insert their used plastic bottles into specially designed RVMs, press button “A,” enter their mobile number, and then press button “B” to view their credit balance instantly on the machine’s screen.
This seamless process is supported by weight-sensitive sensors that ensure only plastic materials are accepted.
Users can also track their credits and connect with waste dealers through a dedicated mobile app, facilitating easy pickup and further recycling.
Transforming plastic waste into infrastructure
Chairperson of the Intratech Group, Gulfam Abid, highlighted the scale of the challenge, noting Lahore produces nearly 500 tons of plastic waste daily.
“These machines will collect single-use plastics, including bottles, cups, and plates,” he said. “Collected plastics will be repurposed into raw materials for footpaths, road repairs, and eco-friendly bricks.”
To support this vision, an Eco Bricks Plant has been set up in Sundar Industrial Estate, where construction-grade bricks will be manufactured from recycled plastic.
The plant’s inauguration is slated for July, marking a major milestone in Lahore’s waste management revolution.
Expanding reach
Currently, four private universities in Lahore host the initial batch of RVMs, with plans underway to install machines in both public and private spaces across the city.
Locally manufactured in Pakistan but powered by advanced Chinese technology, each machine costs around Rs800,000.
The program also integrates over 18,000 local scrap dealers who can earn green credits alongside their usual profits, creating an inclusive ecosystem that benefits communities and promotes sustainable livelihoods.
Environmental stewardship
Officials emphasise that the initiative’s true goal extends far beyond machine installation. “We want citizens to perceive plastic not as mere waste, but as a valuable resource that fuels environmental and economic progress,” stated a program representative.
