The Punjab Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has made it mandatory for all government and private educational institutions in the province to install colour-coded bins for waste segregation under its new ‘Smart Waste Management’ initiative.
According to an order, issued by EPA Director General Dr Imran Hamid Sheikh, the move aims at promoting recycling, safe disposal and landfill reduction in line with Pakistan’s environmental commitments and Sustainable Development Goals.
Under the order, every school must install clearly labelled bins in prominent locations to separate waste into five categories: paper (yellow), glass (green), organic/biodegradable waste (grey), metal (red) and plastic (orange). The bins are to be maintained hygienically and emptied regularly.
Institutions can also use the Punjab Waste Management Helpline 1139 for collection and transportation of segregated waste. EPA field offices will conduct periodic inspections to verify compliance and ensure awareness programmes for students and staff.
Schools that meet the criteria will receive an EPA Smart Waste Management Compliance Certificate, which must be displayed prominently at the main gate as a public demonstration of compliance.
The directive — issued under Section 6(1)(t) of the Punjab Environmental Protection Act, 1997 — is part of the province’s Climate Resilient Action Plan 2024, which prioritises waste segregation, recycling and institutional capacity-building to cut environmental stress and build resilience.
The EPA has forwarded the order to all relevant government departments, district education authorities and private school associations to ensure effective implementation.
