CDA Lacks Solid Waste Disposal Mechanism

APP

Islamabad:Recent studies revealed that the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has been unable to develop an international system for solid waste disposal in the capital owing to land availability and legal issues.

The authority is working on developing a system whereby it will be initiating a mechanism of solid waste minimisation, reuse, segregation at source, and recycling of waste, keeping in view the standards for optimum disposal using the method of landfilling. These activities will take approximately one year.

The CDA has initiated studies for recycling and disposal of the capital’s solid waste, intending to reduce environmental pollution that is posing a threat to the health of the general public.

The details of the studies included waste characterisation studies, waste generation studies, situational analysis reports, municipal solid waste (MSW) collection, haulage, treatment, and disposal, rapid assessment reports of landfill sites in Islamabad, and communication and behaviour change strategies.

The Urban Unit Lahore carried out studies during the period from January to March 2023, with a total cost of Rs. 21.926175 million.

It is also pertinent to mention here that CDA launched a pilot project to segregate solid waste last year to reduce environmental pollution and use items for recycling on a commercial basis.

It is a critical requirement since it enables recycling, reuse, treatment and scientific disposal of different components of waste.

Approximately 700 tonnes of solid waste are collected and transported daily by the Sanitation Directorate and Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) from the federal capital.

The waste segregation also makes it easier to apply different processes—composting, recycling, and incineration.