Recycling machines to offer cash for plastic bottles in Lahore

Punjab Government Signs Agreement to Recycle Single-Use Plastics Under Chief Minister’s Green Credits Program

In a major step toward environmental sustainability, the Punjab government has signed an agreement with a private company to recycle single-use plastic under the Chief Minister’s Green Credits Program.

The private firm will install machines, developed locally using Chinese technology, at four major universities in Lahore starting next month. Similar recycling units will also be set up across markets and commercial areas of the city.

The machine operates with a simple two-step process: Press Button A to insert a plastic bottle, enter your phone number, and then press Button B. The machine will display your earned green credits on its screen, which can also be accessed via a mobile app.

According to the company’s chairman, Gulfam Abid, Lahore generates 500 tons of plastic bottle waste daily.

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The installed machinery will recycle plastic bottles and single-use utensils to manufacture pavement tiles, road patching materials, and eco-friendly bricks.

He added that inserting 20 one-and-a-half-liter bottles or 40 half-liter bottles into the machine will result in an immediate cash reward of PKR 1,000.

The initiative aims to benefit not only the general public but also Lahore’s 18,000 registered scrap dealers, who can contact the company via the app. Company representatives will collect the bottles directly and offer instant cash payments.