Karachi: Pakistan is facing a critical challenge with nearly 49.6 million tons of solid waste generated annually, as per a recent update by the International Trade Administration. With only 60% of this waste collected in urban areas and even less in rural regions, the country is at a crossroads, having to choose between continuing current practices that threaten public health and natural resources, or adopting sustainable waste management practices that could potentially rejuvenate its economy.
According to WaterAid, the current waste management practices in Pakistan are inadequate with significant implications for the environment, public health, and the economy. Urban centers like Karachi see only a fraction of waste safely disposed of, with the rest accumulating in public spaces, often leading to blocked drains and exacerbating issues like urban flooding and spreading diseases. The situation is more dire in rural areas where virtually no formal waste collection exists, leaving waste to accumulate in open fields and water bodies.
The report emphasizes the need for a comprehensive national policy framework to guide provincial governments and relevant authorities in implementing sustainable waste management strategies. Currently, there is no consistent data on the volume and types of waste generated, which hampers effective planning and resource allocation.
WaterAid points out that transforming the solid waste management sector could unlock significant economic benefits. Properly managed waste could contribute to a circular economy, generating an estimated USD 1.2 billion annually and creating thousands of jobs. However, this requires a shift from current practices to more sustainable methods, including the segregation of organic and inorganic waste, which is rarely practiced.
The potential benefits of improved waste management are substantial, including reduced operational costs for municipal services, lower health care costs due to better public health conditions, enhanced land values, and increased tourism. Countries like Sweden have demonstrated the effectiveness of robust waste management systems, where most waste is either recycled or used for energy production, leaving only a tiny fraction for landfills.
For Pakistan, adopting such integrated policy-driven approaches could increase agricultural productivity, job creation, and energy production, while also reducing the impact of climate-induced disasters. The report calls for urgent action from the government to harness the economic potential of solid waste, suggesting that the Ministry of Climate Change is well-placed to lead this initiative by establishing a comprehensive data management system that tracks waste generation and management practices at all levels of government.
It is clear that without significant changes in public behavior and policy, Pakistan’s waste management crisis will continue to pose serious threats to its environment and public health. However, with concerted effort and strategic planning, there is an opportunity to turn this pressing challenge into a sustainable asset for the nation’s economy.