Islamabad’s Waste Management Struggles with 600 Tons

News Desk

Islamabad: Islamabad generates approximately 600 tons of waste daily, with around 60 percent either openly burned or dumped in unmanaged sites.

This situation poses significant risks to both environmental and public health. Alarmingly, only 15 percent of the waste is recycled, highlighting the urgent need for improved resource recovery and sustainability measures.

These views were expressed in a meeting organized by the Institute of Urbanism (IoU) in Islamabad to tackle the city’s pressing waste issue, with daily waste surpassing 600 tons.

The event aimed to bring together community leaders and policymakers to promote sustainable, community-led waste management solutions.

Dr Ejaz Ahmad, Senior Program Fellow at IoU, outlined the national crisis, stating, “Around 48.5 million tons of solid waste is generated annually, with an annual growth rate of 2.4 percent.” He noted that major cities contribute significantly to this issue, yet only 60-70 percent of urban waste is collected.

Key challenges include the lack of sanitary landfill sites, inconsistent data, and the absence of formal source segregation.

Dr Ahmad emphasized the health impact, noting that waste contributes approximately 3% of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions and leads to around 5 million cases of waste-related illnesses and deaths each year.

Community Engagement

Through initiatives like Community Councils in Farash Town and I-10, IoU has empowered residents to take an active role in waste management. These councils aim to foster local leadership and community-driven solutions, encouraging shared responsibility and sustainable practices.

Sardar Khan Zimiri from the CDA underscored the importance of collective action: “Effective waste management is not solely the responsibility of government institutions; it requires commitment from all of us.

Working together, we can create a cleaner and healthier environment for future generations.” He added, “Communities must lead the way in driving positive change. When we engage collectively, we can transform our neighborhoods into sustainable spaces.”

Participants shared their experiences, emphasizing the need for community involvement. Yaseen Abbasi, a resident of I-10, remarked, “Our commitment to environmental health must begin with individual and collective efforts. Only through shared responsibility can we make a lasting impact on waste management.”

Yasmeen Akhtar from Farash Town echoed this sentiment, stating, “Addressing waste challenges requires an inclusive approach that values community voices and engagement. Our active participation is essential for meaningful change.”

IoU reaffirmed its commitment to working alongside community councils and local authorities to improve waste management practices in Islamabad. The event concluded with a networking session, solidifying partnerships and shared commitments towards a sustainable future for the city.

The town hall meeting, titled “Empowered Communities: A Town Hall on Waste Management Responsibilities,” was co-hosted by Heinrich Böll Stiftung (hbs).

 It brought together community representatives, policymakers, and staff from the CDA Sanitation Directorate to explore sustainable solutions for Islamabad’s growing waste challenges, particularly in Farash Town and I-10.