by Punjab has launched an innovative Green Credit Programme to tackle plastic pollution by rewarding citizens for environmentally friendly actions—starting with bottle recycling.
What is it?
- What it is
A province-wide environmental rewards initiative launched by Punjab’s government under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb. - Key goal
Encourage public participation in clean, sustainable practices—from tree planting and solar energy adoption to recycling and education. Punjab’s Green Credit Scheme. Earn Money for Every Bottle You Recycle.
♻️ Bottle Recycling: How It Works
- Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs)
Installed initially at four Lahore universities, these machines accept used plastic bottles, cups, and plates—up to ~25 kg per unit—and sort them via sensors. - Earn “Green Credit” and Cash
- Rs 1,000 per kg of plastic—about 20 × 1.5 L bottles or 40 × 0.5 L bottles earns you the full amount.
- Credit is displayed on the machine and tracked via a mobile app that links users to waste-dealer collections.
- Cash Out
Credits are transferable to cash through the app or collected directly; even scrap dealers (over 18,000 registered) benefit.
Why It Matters
- Huge plastic volume: Lahore alone produces ~500 tons of plastic waste daily.
- Circular economy: Recycled plastic is used for eco-bricks, pavement tiles, road repairs, and construction materials.
- Mindset shift: The program is more than recycling—it aims to change attitudes, teaching that plastic is a resource that can bring environmental and financial gains.
Rewards Beyond Bottles
The Green Credit Programme covers 31 eco-activities beyond recycling, each awarding 1 Green Credit (₨10,000 each):
- Planting and maintaining trees
- Installing solar panels, fans, or water harvesting
- Riding bicycles/e-bikes, e-rickshaws
- Community clean-ups
- Rooftop gardening, composting, waste management
- Environmental campaigns and awareness
Earn several credits and redeem up to ₨50,000 or more through cumulative actions . Top participants may win ₨100,000, eco‑products, scholarships, or be named “Green Ambassadors.
How to Participate
- Register on the Punjab Green Credit Portal or mobile app with CNIC, phone, and address.
- Select & perform eligible green activities.
- Upload proof—photos, videos, installation certificates, GPS‑tagged data.
- Verification by authorities with MRV standards ensures transparency.
- Redeem rewards—cash, vouchers, eco‑products, or grand incentives.
Looking Ahead
- Phase 1: RVMs at universities; Phase 2: expansion to public spaces across Lahore and beyond.
- Eco‑Bricks Plant: Operational in the Sundar Industrial Estate, converting plastic to building materials.
- Long-term vision:
▸ Full recycling infrastructure across Punjab
▸ Integration with emission‑trading and circular‑economy systems
▸ Scaling tree planting, renewable energy, and community mobilization.
Your Role: From Bottles to Impact
- You earn money—straightforward, transparent, and rewarding.
- You clean your community—help reduce landfill and pollution.
- You support sustainability—turning waste into infrastructure.
- You join a movement—as future phases include transport, energy, and greening.
In Summary
Punjab’s Green Credit Scheme is practical eco-action meets incentive. It empowers individuals to earn from recycling while contributing to cleaner cities and greener futures. If you’re in Punjab, start saving your bottles, download the app, visit an RVM, and cash in on climate action.
For more information or to register: visit the official Green Credit Portal or check the Punjab EPA announcements.
🚮 Action Step: Find the nearest RVM, deposit 20 empty bottles, scan your Green Credit, and you’re on your way to earning while keeping plastics out of the environment.
