According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), research suggests that 250 million tons of garbage in Pakistan primarily consist of plastic bags, pet bottles and food scraps that end up in landfills and waste dump sites posing a great environmental hazard. There is an urgent need for policymakers and environmental organizations to come up with solutions to curb environmental degradation. Countries facing similar challenges have implemented the model of circular economy.
According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), research suggests that 250 million tons of garbage in Pakistan primarily consist of plastic bags, pet bottles and food scraps that end up in landfills and waste dump sites posing a great environmental hazard. There is an urgent need for policymakers and environmental organizations to come up with solutions to curb environmental degradation. Countries facing similar challenges have implemented the model of circular economy.
Glassia, a Vietnam-based social enterprise is a great example of a circular economy in action. Glassia is leading change with a decentralized glass water bottling system that eliminates plastic waste. Their Danang facility fills one million reusable bottles tackling Vietnam’s plastic pollution crisis, which costs the economy 3.5 per cent of GDP annually due to water contamination. Glassia’s scalable solution offers a blueprint for sustainable growth, setting a global standard for circular economy integration.
The circular economy is an industrial system that is regenerative by intent, keeping goods in circulation for as long as possible to maximize sustainability and reduce waste. Circularity can include practices such as maintenance, reuse, recycling, and composting. It allows for products and materials to be used for longer and be reused as new products thus leading to less waste and less environmental impact.
In a country like Pakistan where 3.3 million tons of plastic is produced annually, adopting a circular economy model will tackle a plethora of environmental issues. By reusing packaging and plastic waste, the approach transforms waste into raw materials, especially crucial in the context of urbanization and strained resources. This initiative promotes the elimination of unnecessary waste and encourages environmentally green measures.
To combat this issue and be more cognizant of environmental sustainability, more environmentally friendly measures need to be taken and push for more green initiatives. Examples of green initiatives could be as small as using eco-friendly packaging bags or recycling plastic waste. On the other hand, if we look at bigger green initiatives, they include introducing heavy machinery for managing waste and its segregation or capturing the concept of a circular economy.
However, scaling such projects in major cities like Karachi and Lahore is challenging due to the significant costs and administrative hurdles. A pilot project in a smaller city could effectively showcase the benefits a circular economy model has and pave the way for broader adoption.
Lying between the mighty Karakoram, Gilgit-Baltistan has become a major tourist attraction for people due to its unique natural landscapes, cultural heritage, and hospitable people. In 2023, over a million tourists visited, according to the Tourist Department of Gilgit-Baltistan. This influx highlights the region's appeal and potential for sustainable tourism initiatives. With its unique landscapes, the region is experiencing increasing urbanization with advancements in infrastructure developments and an influx of tourism. The province offered an ideal setting for corporate entities to initiate projects along the lines of circular economy.
While the increase in tourism has boosted economic conditions, it has also led to significant environmental deterioration. The influx of visitors has resulted in a substantial accumulation of waste, much of it plastic and paper, with inadequate segregation and disposal.
Tourist season has seen a dramatic rise in waste generation, with estimates suggesting over 200,000 kg of plastic and paper packaging collected annually, primarily from tourists. This waste contributes to pollution and environmental degradation. Companies have installed benches and bins in several popular locations in Hunza, Skardu, and Gilgit.
Sustainable initiatives are vital to preserving the natural beauty of tourist areas like Gilgit-Baltistan and fostering a waste-free environment. To achieve long-term sustainability, both policymakers and organizations need to embrace and promote circular economy practices, ensuring a greener and more resilient future for Pakistan.
The adoption of circular economy practices is essential for addressing the growing environmental challenges faced by Pakistan and other countries worldwide. By transforming waste into valuable resources, businesses and policymakers can create sustainable solutions that protect natural landscapes, reduce pollution, and promote economic resilience.
By transforming waste into valuable resources, businesses and policymakers can create sustainable solutions that protect natural landscapes, reduce pollution, and promote economic resilience
The writer is a freelance contributor. She can be reached at: zehraagha349@gmail.com
