A groundbreaking eco-friendly initiative has been rolled out in Lahore, encouraging citizens to recycle plastic waste in exchange for cash rewards. The project, launched under the Punjab Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Credit Program, allows users to earn up to Rs1,000 per kilogram of used plastic bottles through Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs).
Developed by ISP Environmental Solutions with support from the Intratech Group and the World Bank, the initiative seeks to reshape public attitudes toward plastic waste by offering tangible incentives. With Lahore generating an estimated 500 tons of plastic waste daily, officials see the program as a critical step in reducing environmental pollution and promoting a circular economy.
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Each RVM, equipped with smart sensors, can store up to 25 kilograms of single-use plastic items such as bottles, cups, and plates. The process is simple: users insert their plastic, enter their phone number, and receive instant updates on their “Green Credit” via a mobile app. The app also connects users with over 18,000 registered scrap dealers who can collect the materials directly from their homes.
In the first phase, machines are being installed at four private universities, with plans to expand to public spaces across the city. The machines, locally built with imported Chinese technology, cost approximately Rs800,000 each and represent a major investment in sustainable urban waste management.
An “Eco Bricks Plant” in the Sundar Industrial Estate will repurpose the collected plastic into construction-grade bricks, footpaths, and road repair materials. Officials say the real aim of the project is cultural transformation—helping citizens see plastic not as trash, but as a resource for both environmental protection and economic opportunity.
