Pakistan urges international airlines to stop using single-use plastics on flight
Pakistan has asked 18 international airlines to stop the use of plastic cutlery and other non-biodegradable items on flights as the country is aiming to reduce plastic pollution, according to the country’s Aviation Division.
The airlines are also directed to stop using single-use plastics on flight and also ensure that the cutlery is packed in paper rather than in plastic or polythene bags.
The information was shared by Aviation Division senior joint secretary Amjad Sattar Khokhar with Adviser to the Prime Minister on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam on Monday at the committee room of Parliament House.
“We have given directives to airlines that they cannot use plastic cutlery in the flights as we want to stop the use of plastic. Moreover, it is observed that the cutlery is packed in plastic sacks so we have also directed them to ensure that the cutlery should be wrapped in paper rather than in polythene,” Mr Khokhar was quoted as saying by Dawn.
The committee was also informed that educational messages will be placed at airports to inform the passengers coming from abroad the use of plastic bags is banned in Pakistan
Mr Aslam appreciated the step and said such messages can also be advertised on electronic boards placed near airports.
When the aviation division sent directives to different airlines to ensure implementation, only China Southern Airlines enquired and asked to explain the law under which should it stop the use of plastic cutlery and Pakistani responded to them promptly. Other airlines do not have any objection.
“We are also concerned about climate change and that is why we have planted over 50,000 saplings around airports,” Mr Khokhar said.