After the coronavirus pandemic, hundreds of hotels and restaurants in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi are using disposable utensils cups and plates made of hazardous thermocol.
Besides being hazardous to the environment, serving hot food and beverages in the thermocol plates and cups is harmful to health too.
Meanwhile, the management of the eateries has not worked out a way for its disposal or recycling.
Not only small restaurants and hotels but the famous local and multinational food chains are also part of the hazardous practice.
After usage, the disposable products are burnt and their emissions cause substantial harm to the environment.
According to medical experts, consuming food in thermocol utensils is a major cause of cancer.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 117,000 cancer cases are reported annually in Pakistan.
Styrofoam utensils are banned worldwide.
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Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has also banned disposable utensils made of styrofoam but it failed to implement the ban effectively as the sale and purchase of cups, plates, and glasses is still underway in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
The food chains are reluctant to use polypropylene or paper and cardboard utensils alternatively.