Solid Waste Management

             The term "municipal solid waste," also referred to as "junk" or "trash," refers to all types of waste products, including plastic bottles, used needles, out-of-date batteries, food scraps, newspapers, etc. Pakistan produces 49.6 million tonnes of municipal solid garbage annually, and this number has been rising by more than 2.4% annually, according to a study.

 

Environmental issues become significant when municipal solid trash is not managed properly. On vacant lots, the majority of municipal rubbish is either burned or dumped, which pollutes the land and releases dangerous chemicals into the atmosphere.

According to a government statistic, major cities produce 87,000 tonnes of solid trash per week. The largest city in Pakistan, Karachi, produces around 16,500 tonnes of municipal waste per day. There is no difference in the scenario in other cities. The issue is exacerbated by the inaction of the relevant agencies, bad provincial leadership, administrative roadblocks, a lack of public awareness, a lack of urban management and town planning, and inadequate waste management equipment.

All types of trash and dirt started piling up on the streets and highways throughout the recent rainy spells, clogging the drains. To address health issues and reduce environmental and land degradation, the government should develop a detailed plan to manage municipal solid trash.