ISLAMABAD: The group of companies and social sector organisations have demanded a policy to regulate the solid waste management that would also streamline the collection and recycling of solid waste.

Pakistan’s first ever packaging alliance called ‘Collection and Recycle’ (CoRe) has called for government’s immediate attention towards strengthening infrastructure for waste collection, recycling, converting waste and its disposal in accordance with the international standards.

“Currently all the solid waste collection in the country was in the hands of junk dealers, who send the segregated waste to the relevant recycling or re-usage industry,” said an official of the CoRe.

However, this informal sector creates localised pollution in areas where the junk dealers operate whereas the unregulated recycling industry was key sources for air and water pollution in the country.

The statement issued by CoRe states that the target was to drive a circular economy for long-term sustainability and economic resilience, aligning with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

These include Goal 12 Responsible Consumption and Production, Goal 13 Climate Action, and Goal 17 Partnerships for the Goals.

Babar Aziz Bhatti, CEO Green Earth Recycling and a member of CoRe Alliance, stated that investing in collection and recycling infrastructure was the key to reducing waste, generating green jobs, and driving sustainable development in Pakistan.

CoRe has also written a letter to the finance minister Muhammad Aurangzeb highlighting the importance of circular economy, and suggested that to promote it in Pakistan the government has to incentivise this new sector.

These incentives includes tax rebates and financial incentives for companies operating to enter this domain and a zero-tariff regime on recycling equipment and Reverse Vending Machines. Pakistan needs to promote infrastructure for converting plastic waste into fuel, encourage companies to meet recycling targets or use recycled materials.

CoRe letter has given the reference of an Asian Development Bank report that solid waste generation in the country is expected to reach 42 million tonnes annually by 2030 and challenge compounded by inadequate recycling infrastructure.

The CoRe letter has added that Pakistan can generate economic opportunities through sustainable investments and a waste-free future.

Published in Dawn, April 9th, 2025