Systemic solutions must for waste recycling

LAHORE: Municipal waste is a treasure for countries that manage it prudently, and nuisance for those that dump without sorting or treating, as is usually practiced in developing economies like Pakistan.

The treasures in municipal waste include plastics, metals, electronics, used shoes and tyres, all of which could be reused to generate substantial income besides cleaning the environment. Estimates of economic worth of municipal waste are sketchy; still a ton of municipal waste containing all above items could generate enough economic activity.

We often see our sewerage systems clogged by polythene bags, drainage and water channels slowed by garbage, plastics, etcetera. The waste management departments usually lack capacity to clear these blockages. The garbage collection drums where available are for throwing whatever kitchen and household waste they generate at homes. This culture impedes gainful treatment of municipal wastage.

The recycling or other reuses of municipal waste can only be commercially viable if we create aggregate of extractable consumer-wastes. The bulk of any type of wastes like plastic, steel or used garments scales up the disposal operations to sustainable levels. To succeed, the waste management departments would have to ensure aggregate waste flows into meaningful volumes. Only then the businesses will be able to organise the supply chain professionally at high levels of operational efficiency.  

In large cities of Pakistan, PET-bottle-collection system requires the lowest level of aggregation. The bottles thus collected as part of mixed waste are used for producing energy though incineration. However, the economic benefit would be much higher if the bottles collected were recycled into plastic. The value from this type of stream could yield very high dividends, enough to match high rate of return on any other investment.

In the same way, we see tyres being burned in the open to extract metals, a health as well as environmental hazard. If these used tyres are aggregated to feed them as fuel for many industries needing heating, it could enormously increase the value of old tyres.

Organic waste is around 60 percent of the total household wastes in developing countries, including Pakistan.  It is also the major source of odours and pests particularly in regions where garbage collection services are inadequate. It also pollutes underground water if the disposal system is substandard.  This damp material also damages other recyclable materials reducing their recycling value.

Recycling the municipal waste benefits the society immensely. It provides jobs, reduces the import bill of plastic and steel and reduces pollution. However, most of the municipal waste management system in Pakistan is dominated by informal operators. It is prone to opportunistic practices. The scavengers’ that collect or separate the garbage create more filth in the process. They spill the organic garbage on road while recovering plastics, steel and other items from the garbage bins. The top talent avoids entering this sector. Scavengers have distributed their domains of collection and scare away if anyone else enters their domain.

In view of the economic and environmental importance of waste recovery, it is inevitable that a regular system is installed. In Lahore, the Lahore Waste Management Company from Turkey has almost cleaned the city from filth by emptying garbage from all garbage bins placed at various points in the city. However, separating the recyclable materials is still a problem. It is separated by the scavengers.  The garbage collection in other big cities is pathetic.

There is a need to place different bins for recyclable materials and organic waste and create awareness among households in this regard. We should develop a society that respects environment and social values. The society as a whole should look at the management of garbage as a practice that improves their environment and creates economic opportunities for some of their fellow citizens. We have to stand up to the challenge now when the garbage being created daily is still manageable. In highly developed economies, volume of waste grows faster than they can deal with it. Now they realise that cleaning up operations are not sufficient. More systemic solutions are needed from waste avoidance to reuse.

A prudent resource-recovery system needs to be very strong. Recyclers or other downstream users of the waste must be comfortable to invest—sometimes significant amounts. They need access to feedstock in sufficient volumes and with consistent quality.