In a move aimed at tackling rising waste management issues, the Punjab government has directed all schools, colleges, and universities to install color-coded dustbins for waste segregation.
Under the new policy, institutions must provide:
- Green bins for biodegradable and organic waste,
- Blue bins for recyclables like paper, plastic, glass, and metal,
- Black or grey bins for materials that cannot be recycled.
The idea is to instill waste-sorting habits among students while also creating a cleaner campus environment. Teachers, students, and visitors will be expected to follow the color-coded system.
EPA to Oversee Implementation
The Punjab Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be responsible for monitoring whether schools and colleges are following the new system. To encourage compliance, the government has introduced a reward mechanism: institutions that successfully implement the policy will receive certificates acknowledging their role in promoting sustainability.
Why It Matters
While waste segregation has long been discussed in policy circles, implementation in public spaces has been slow. By starting with educational institutions, the government hopes not only to manage waste more efficiently but also to shape long-term habits among younger generations—something experts say is key to building a culture of environmental responsibility.
