Recycle Plastic Bottles and Earn Green Credit in Lahore: A Smart Step Towards a Greener Future
Lahore: July 2025
In an inspiring move to combat plastic pollution, Lahore has introduced a modern, eco-conscious system that rewards citizens for recycling plastic bottles. Through newly installed Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs), people can now earn up to Rs. 1,000 in Green Credit simply by depositing empty plastic bottles.
This innovative project is the result of a joint effort by ISP Environmental Solutions and Intratech Group, with financial backing from the World Bank. It is being run under the Punjab Environmental Protection Department’s Green Credit Program, aiming to curb plastic waste and promote sustainable living.
How Does the Program Work?
The concept is both simple and effective. Instead of throwing away used plastic bottles, citizens can now insert them into RVMs placed across the city. These high-tech machines identify, weigh, and collect the bottles and in return, offer Green Credit rewards.
Here’s how the reward system works:
- 20 empty 1.5-liter bottles or
- 40 empty 0.5-liter bottles
= 1 kilogram of plastic
= Rs. 1,000 Green Credit
The initiative is more than just a recycling program—it’s a movement to reduce Lahore’s growing plastic waste, which is known to pollute rivers, block drains, and fill up landfills.
Why This Project Matters
A large portion of this waste ends up in natural water bodies and landfills, damaging ecosystems and adding to environmental hazards.
This program helps redirect plastic waste toward constructive uses. The bottles collected through RVMs will be processed and reused as raw materials for infrastructure projects like:
- Footpaths and sidewalks
- Road repairs
- Eco-friendly construction bricks
In this way, waste that once harmed the environment can now help build a greener city.
Easy to Use for Everyone
Anyone can use the RVMs by following a few easy steps:
- Insert empty bottles into the machine.
- Press Button A to start the recycling process.
- Enter your phone number to register.
- Press Button B to view the amount of Green Credit earned.
To make it even more convenient, a dedicated mobile app has been launched. The app allows users to:
- Track their Green Credit balance
- Monitor their recycling history
- Schedule home pickups for used bottles
The app also connects users to a network of over 18,000 kabaris (scrap dealers) in Lahore. Kabaris themselves will benefit by receiving both their usual profits and additional Green Credit.
Locations and Expansion
Initially, these Reverse Vending Machines are being installed at four private universities in Lahore. In the next phases, they will be rolled out to:
- Public parks
- Schools and colleges
- Shopping centers
- Community hubs
Each RVM is designed and manufactured in Pakistan using advanced Chinese sensor technology. The cost to produce one machine is around Rs. 800,000, and each unit can hold up to 25 kilograms of plastic. Smart sensors built into the machines ensure only valid plastic items are accepted, filtering out other waste.
Eco Bricks Plant: A Step Ahead
Another major development in this initiative is the establishment of an Eco-Bricks Plant at Sundar Industrial Estate. This plant will take the plastic collected through RVMs and convert it into durable bricks for use in construction projects. The plant is expected to begin operations later in July 2025, marking a key milestone in the city’s journey towards environmental innovation.
Public Response and Future Impact
Lahore residents have welcomed the project, praising its dual benefits—financial incentives and environmental improvement. Local citizen Nida Zafar mentioned that separating and recycling plastic bottles daily is a small effort that can bring both personal rewards and long-term environmental change. Another resident, Sarah Alamgir, emphasized how crucial such steps are in tackling the long-term threats of plastic pollution.
This initiative doesn’t just stop at reducing waste; it also aims to create awareness and build a culture of responsibility among the people. By encouraging individuals to see plastic as a reusable resource, not just garbage, the program hopes to foster a mindset that supports sustainability.
Conclusion
Lahore’s Green Credit initiative is a smart and sustainable solution to one of the city’s biggest environmental challenges—plastic pollution. By turning waste into opportunity, this program rewards responsible behavior and creates a cleaner, healthier city for future generations.
More than just a recycling effort, it’s a community-driven movement that makes each citizen an active participant in environmental conservation. If other cities follow Lahore’s lead, this model could inspire a nationwide shift towards greener living.
In short, with just a few plastic bottles, you’re not only cleaning the environment—you’re earning money and building a better tomorrow.
