What is Pakistan's annual plastic waste generation?

Pakistan generates about 2 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, with only 15-18 percent being recycled.

What is Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in Pakistan?

EPR is a framework designed to reduce waste by shifting the cost of packaging waste management from consumers to companies.

Why are informal waste pickers important in Pakistan?

Informal waste pickers handle approximately 40% of Pakistan's waste and are crucial for managing plastic pollution, despite working in unsafe conditions.

Home / Environment / Pakistan's Plastic Problem: Kids Tackle Waste Crisis

Pakistan's Plastic Problem: Kids Tackle Waste Crisis

24 Apr

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Summary

Two young children collect metal cans and plastic daily.
Pakistan recycles only 15-18% of 2 million tonnes of plastic waste annually.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) aims to shift waste costs to companies.

Pakistan's Plastic Problem: Kids Tackle Waste Crisis

Young children in Pakistan, such as 11-year-old Irfanullah Wahid and 10-year-old Faisal Asadullah, are crucial to the nation's informal waste management system. They collect recyclables daily, often earning minimal amounts for their efforts. Pakistan faces a significant plastic waste challenge, generating around 2 million tonnes annually with only 15-18% being recycled.

The nation is projected to generate 12 million tonnes of plastic waste by 2040 if no intervention occurs. This waste exacerbates urban flooding, pollutes waterways, and contaminates air and food chains. A proposed Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework aims to address this by shifting the financial burden of waste management from consumers to producers, starting in 2025.