MUNICIPAL solid waste management includes the collection and disposal of garbage created by human activity. In Pakistan, municipal solid waste is not properly regulated, which results in diseases and pollution.

Research in municipal solid waste management shows not even half of the population has proper solid waste management coverage. Mostly the trash is dumped in open spaces where it is periodically burned or washed away into waterways and canals during rains.

The authorities responsible for solid waste disposal create landfills next to rivers and canals where the seasonal water flow carries the rubbish into rivers and dams.

Research has also shown that most of the garbage is recycled by ‘scavengers’, who search solid waste for recyclable items like metals, plastics, old clothes, wood, paper and cardboard. These people are unregulated; do not have any safety equipment and healthcare. By providing support to this sector, solid waste production can be drastically reduced.

More than 35pc of solid waste contains biological waste, like kitchen waste, fruit/vegetable skins, bones, animal waste, food waste, etc. Such rubbish can easily be converted into fertiliser.

Equipment is available that can accomplish this task with no gas leakage, and the municipal organisations across Pakistan should use such equipment to help reduce solid waste production and increase fertiliser production.

The remaining garbage should either be buried under leak-proof landfills.

The government should review and update the laws governing solid waste management.

Engr Zeeshan Khan

Peshawar

Published in Dawn, March 28th, 2017