TAXILA: Deputy commissioner Attock Rao Atif Raza on Thursday inauguratedfirst solid waste management plant in Hazro under public-private partnership.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony, deputy director Local Government and Community Development Department Khawaja Hassan said the plant was established for effective solid waste management.

“The project was aimed at using the municipal solid waste for formation of soil enriching natural conditioners usually used by farmers to increase fertility of soil,” he added.

Speaking on this occasion, assistant commissioner Hazro Kamran Ashraf emphasised that cleanliness is part of our faith. He urged the public to fulfill their responsibilities in making the project a success. He was of the view that the administration is striving to minimise negative environmental and health impacts associated with poor disposal of waste.

Deputy commissioner Attock Rao Atif Raza has said that solid waste management is a major environment and health hazard in the urban areas of Pakistan as cities economies are fast growing, business activity and consumption patterns are driving up solid waste quantities.

In Pakistan the collection of waste is sporadic and the disposal is poor. Despite the fact that solid waste services represent the single largest expenditure item, less than 50 percent of the waste generated is collected; and is mostly disposed of at dumpsites or roadsides. Additionally, recent history has shown that lifestyle is changing at a brisk pace in society. He said that the plant would help to reduce environmental pollution and help recycling of waste. He said that such plants in other tehsils of the district.

“The plant will prove to be another addition to many of other environment-friendly initiatives of the district administration for handling of waste in a modern and sustainable manner,”

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2023