Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed all schools across the province to adopt a smart waste management system by placing five colored dustbins for proper waste segregation. The government has made it mandatory for both government and private schools to comply by September 30, 2025, with inspections starting October 1. Institutions failing to meet the requirement will face heavy fines.
According to the official notification, each color-coded bin will be designated for specific waste categories, including paper, bottles, glass, metals, and laboratory waste, which will later be recycled. Senior Minister for Environment Marriyum Aurangzeb will supervise the project, while Education Minister Rana Sikandar and Local Government Minister Zeeshan Malik will ensure its implementation. Schools fully complying will also receive honorary certificates.
In another development, CM Maryam Nawaz reviewed the rising prices of animal fodder in flood-hit areas of Punjab. With 4.7 million animals affected, relief efforts have so far relocated 2.2 million to safe areas and vaccinated nearly 2 million. Despite these steps, 824 animals were lost, prompting the CM to stress urgent protection of livestock and food resources in affected regions.