Resource information
Solid waste management (SWM) is a major
environment and health hazard in the urban areas of
Pakistan. The World Bank is of the opinion that as cities
economies are fast growing, business activity and
consumption patterns are driving up solid waste quantities.
In Pakistan the collection of waste is sporadic and the
disposal is poor. Despite the fact that solid waste services
represent the single largest expenditure item, less than 50
percent of the waste generated is collected; and even then
it is disposed at dumpsites or roadsides since there is
hardly any single sanitary landfill in Pakistan. The World
Bank has been supporting the SWM agenda by financing
analytical studies and formulating policies in Punjab,
replicable to other provinces. The studies also pointed out
needs and opportunities for the reduction and reuse of the
waste by recycling and composting; and presented replicable
local practices and opportunities for involving the private
sector in various stages and segments of the SWM system. The
report follows on from the inception report in September
2009 that summarized preliminary findings from the initial
data gathering, research and the meetings held with key
officials within and outside government during the inception
phase of the assignment. This report further expands on the
initial findings and provides a detailed situational
analysis together with identification of gaps in the present
ISWM system in Multan.
