THE World Bank’s red alert — that global waste may rise by 73pc by 2050 — spells trouble for countries like Pakistan. Low-income countries bear the brunt of the crisis due to limited infrastructure, poor urban planning and weak enforcement. If current trends continue, the global volume of waste will hit 3.88bn tonnes annually. Pakistan, for its part, generates over 3.9m tonnes of plastic every year. And yet, recycling here is virtually non-existent. Unlike in developed nations, where sorting household waste and recycling are routine, most Pakistanis dispose of all waste — organic, recyclable, hazardous — in the same bin, if not chucking it out of moving cars onto the street. This lack of a recycling culture is a major barrier. When it comes to dealing with waste, the responsibility is not the government’s alone. Citizens must also change their ways. Separating waste at source, avoiding single-use plastics, and properly disposing garbage should be social norms. Governance is a work in progress. Despite rules, most cities lack the planning, infrastructure and enforcement to manage waste. Punjab has seen some initiative, with a 42-acre landfill in Lahore now being transformed into a solar park and urban forest. In KP, waste management is often outsourced to private operators with minimal regulatory oversight. Balochistan lags far behind with limited coverage and negligible recycling efforts.

Sindh’s recent move to impose a blanket ban on all types of plastic bags is commendable — if enforced. Its 2019 restrictions were riddled with loopholes and poor implementation. For the new policy to succeed, dedicated waste zones and daily door-to-door trash collection is essential. The ban must be backed by enforcement: fines, seizure of goods, and closure of businesses flouting the law. The federal government must do more than draft policy papers. It must coordinate across provinces to create a national waste strategy with targets for recycling, reduction and enforcement. Funding must be linked to compliance, not mere intent. The WB report highlights the steep cost of inaction: clogged drains, urban flooding, disease and soaring methane emissions. For Pakistan, already among the most climate-vulnerable countries, unmanaged waste is not just an eyesore, it is also a threat multiplier. It is time to clean up our act. Everyone has a role to play, and every bag, bottle and banana peel counts.

Published in Dawn, May 7th, 2025