With nearly two million tonnes of plastic waste generated annually in Pakistan and a staggering 86% of it improperly managed, a new pilot project has been launched in the capital to address the dual challenges of environmental pollution and the precarious conditions of informal waste collectors.
According to information today, the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is set to implement the ‘Sustainability and Decent Work in Pakistan’s PET Recycling Value Chain’ initiative, backed by a USD 500,000 grant from The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF).
The project will initially focus on the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), a region that produces over 3,300 tons of municipal solid waste each day, with an estimated 79% of it being recyclable material.
Key components of the program include a thorough analysis of existing challenges, providing occupational safety and health training to waste handlers, and assisting in the formation of cooperatives for waste pickers. A diagnostic study to map the Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) value chain is also planned.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a key project partner, contributing its specialized expertise on labor rights, worker formalization, and promoting decent work standards. The partnership was finalized by officials including Ms. Jennifer Ankrom of UNOPS, Dr. Faisal Hashmi of Coca-Cola Pakistan, and Geir Tonstol of the ILO.
‘By strengthening the PET recycling value chain, this initiative not only tackles the urgent challenge of plastic pollution but also empowers Pakistan’s informal waste pickers with safer, more dignified livelihoods,’ noted Ms. Jennifer Ankrom, Country Manager for UNOPS Pakistan.
Geir Tonstol, Director for the ILO in Pakistan, stressed that improving the recycling system requires a strong focus on people. He expressed that the partnership provides an important opportunity to enhance working conditions and promote decent work practices for informal collectors by applying the core expertise of his organization.
Speaking on the grant, Carlos Pagoaga, President of The Coca-Cola Foundation, stated, ‘This collaboration with UNOPS demonstrates The Coca-Cola Foundation’s commitment to advancing waste collection and management systems while ensuring that those at the heart of the system… receive the recognition, protection, and opportunities they deserve.’
The insights and outcomes from this pilot program in Islamabad are expected to encourage the adoption of a similar framework nationwide, with the ultimate goal of fostering more sustainable and inclusive waste collection, management, and recycling systems across Pakistan.