In Karachi, garbage is hard to miss. Overflowing bins, streets strewn with trash, and blocked drains are now common sights. This issue, however, is not confined to Karachi—cities and towns throughout Pakistan face the same waste management problems.
Pakistan is facing a serious waste problem that is harming the environment and people’s health. Every year, the country produces about 49.6 million tonnes of garbage, and this figure continues to rise as cities expand and populations grow. Large cities generate the most waste: Karachi produces around 16,500 tonnes daily, while Lahore produces about 7,690 tonnes. Other cities such as Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, and Hyderabad add even more, making this a problem that demands urgent attention.
Despite the scale of waste generation, local authorities manage to collect only 60 to 70 per cent of it. The rest ends up on roadsides, in drains, and on vacant plots due to limited systems and resources. Most of the waste that is collected is dumped without segregation at poorly managed landfills or open sites, where it is left uncovered or burned in the open. This not only pollutes the air and soil but also makes daily life harder for people living nearby.
This outdated and under-resourced approach is taking a serious toll—damaging the environment, putting public health at risk, and wasting valuable economic opportunities. It clearly shows that Pakistan urgently needs modern waste management practices, turning waste from a growing problem into a resource that can support communities and the environment.
Open dumping and the burning of waste are major problems, especially in neighbourhoods where municipal services do not reach. Garbage left in the open releases harmful gases and smoke, contributing to smog and making the air in cities such as Islamabad and Lahore unhealthy to breathe. During winter, this smog can hang over cities for days, increasing the risk of respiratory and heart diseases. In addition to affecting health, the gases released contribute to climate change, with methane being particularly dangerous as it traps far more heat than carbon dioxide.
With strong public–private partnerships, sound policies, and long-term commitment, waste can shift from being a nuisance to a source of energy, employment, and climate protection
For Pakistan, a country already vulnerable to floods, heatwaves, and other extreme weather events, poor waste management worsens both environmental and public health challenges, turning what may appear to be a local issue into a nationwide concern.
Around the world, many countries have shown that waste does not have to overwhelm cities if it is managed properly. In Sweden, most household waste is either recycled or converted into heat and electricity, leaving very little to be sent to landfills. In Germany, waste segregation has become part of daily life, supported by public awareness and clear regulations. In Istanbul, Turkey, large waste-to-energy plants convert thousands of tonnes of garbage into electricity and heat every day.
Similarly, some cities in Iran use waste to generate electricity and even produce fuel for factories. Pakistan has also attempted to move in this direction. Projects such as waste management companies in major cities and the composting initiative in Lahore showed promise, but weak planning, limited coverage, and a lack of continuity have prevented these efforts from achieving lasting impact.
These experiences, both international and domestic, offer important lessons. Simple measures, such as segregating waste at homes, offices, and markets, can make recycling far easier, create jobs, and ease pressure on overflowing landfills. Since a large proportion of Pakistan’s waste is organic, composting converting food waste and green matter into natural fertiliser, can improve soil quality, support farmers, and reduce harmful methane emissions.
Waste that cannot be recycled or composted can be utilised in waste-to-energy plants in cities like Karachi and Lahore to generate electricity while reducing dumping. On a practical level, cities can take steps such as improving landfill management, covering open dumps to prevent smoke, establishing small community composting centres in markets and neighbourhoods, and partnering with local recycling businesses to collect and reuse plastics, metals, and paper measures that are realistic and capable of delivering quick results. With strong public–private partnerships, sound policies, and long-term commitment, waste can shift from being a nuisance to a source of energy, employment, and climate protection.