“SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN PAKISTAN”

Abstract

With a population exceeding 180 million Pakistan’s annual waste generation is approximately 20 million tonnes a year. The estimate of waste management shrinks in comparison to the humongous amount of waste being generated. With increase in population coupled with expansion of urban settlements waste management has become a problem which authorities are struggling to solve. This case study establishes the current waste management challenges being faced at global level. The facts are provided according to each region of the world including the estimates of waste generation and collection. Keeping global waste management figures as a comparison the next section of case identifies the waste management issues being faced by Pakistan. One of the potential long term waste management solution being implemented in Pakistan is the business model of partnership between Lafarge, a cement manufacturer and Saif Group through Lahore Compost, a waste processing unit. The partnership was established to process municipal solid waste (MSW) to produce refused derived fuel (RDF) which was consumed as an alternative fuel by Lafarge. This joint venture, albeit an important one is only a small fragment of the economy which could be used as a model for future partnerships at a larger scale. Building upon the partnership model the case study then expands the scope by introducing an integrated approach of waste management where the partnerships are not merely between two actors of the economy. The partnerships and collaboration will start from the grassroots level up to industrial involvement and eventually the authorities. Considering the extent of waste generation the first step is to address the generation sources. Therefore, there is a need of perceiving waste as a sensitive element of everyday activity which requires first reduction in its generation and second appropriate management. Once the individuals are being sensitized, the other actors of the economy come into play. The study proposes 7 such actors namely; communities, informal sector (waste pickers and scavengers), institutions, private sector, NGOs, donor agencies and governmental authorities. The challenge is lack of foresight to completely involve and hold responsible all economic agents of the country. The way forward can only be systemic procedures, collaborations and partnerships among individuals, businesses, industries, government and other economic agents to turn this problem into a sustainable industrial system.