The Pakistani government has allocated Rs 200 million under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to initiate the Gwadar Smart Environment Sanitation System and Landfill Project. Approved under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) and endorsed by the Central Development Working Party, the project includes finalized technical plans (PC-1) and a comprehensive feasibility study.
Saif Ullah Khaithran, Director General of the Gwadar Development Authority (GDA), emphasized the project’s transformative potential, stating, *“We aim to establish a modern smart waste management framework that integrates advanced operational standards and machinery to efficiently collect, recycle, and dispose of residential and commercial waste.”*
Gwadar’s waste generation has surged from 5 tons per day in 2010 to over 20 tons daily in 2024, driven by expanding commercial ventures and residential growth. Currently, most solid waste is discarded in unregulated open spaces, posing environmental and health risks. While inert materials in the waste stream hold potential for reuse, hazardous components threaten public safety. The initiative seeks to implement a structured sanitation system to promote sustainable urban development.
Key features of the project include mechanized cleaning using sprinkler and sweeper trucks, a containerized waste collection network, and door-to-door garbage pickup services. Sealed containers will be strategically positioned across public and residential zones to streamline waste disposal.
A critical focus is addressing biodegradable waste, which constitutes a significant portion of Gwadar’s refuse. Rapid decomposition of organic matter fosters pest infestations, foul odors, and greenhouse gas emissions. To mitigate this, the project will deploy anaerobic fermentation technology to convert organic waste into biogas—a renewable energy source—and organic compost, while generating carbon credits.
Khaithran highlighted that only 50% of Pakistan’s total waste is currently collected nationally, underscoring the urgency for recycling solutions. *“Recycling not only reduces landfill burden but also conserves resources by reintroducing materials into productive cycles,”* he added. The Gwadar initiative aligns with broader efforts to advance circular economy principles and climate-resilient infrastructure.
