Waste Polluting Islamabad’s Water

News Desk

Islamabad: A recent study by the Institute of Urbanism (IoU) has found that Islamabad generates over 1,000 metric tonnes of waste daily, a substantial portion of which is improperly disposed of through burning or open dumping in streams, green areas, and parks.

This poses a series of threats to the environment and public health.  The study also found that the average person in Islamabad generates between 0.4 and 1.4 kg of waste per day, with 60 percent of household waste and 90 percent of office waste being recyclable.

The study found that 60% of household waste and 90% of office waste by volume is recyclable

This suggests that there is a significant opportunity to reduce waste generation and improve recycling rates in the capital city. The IoU study is calling for intervention to address the city’s waste management challenges. Residents have expressed strong support for waste segregation at the household level if facilitated by the municipality through a multiple-bin system.

In addition to municipal intervention, there is an urgent need for businesses to adopt environmentally responsible practises and innovate in waste management. The circular economy offers a promising approach to waste management, with numerous waste-based enterprises successfully operating within this framework.