Waste Management Crisis in Pakistan with Focus on Balochistan Addressing Environmental Impacts and Advancing Sustainable Development Goals through Policy and Practice

Abstract

Solid waste management has emerged as one of the most urgent environmental and public health challenges in developing countries, particularly in Pakistan. Rapid urbanization, population growth, and unsustainable consumption patterns have greatly increased waste generation beyond the capacity of municipal systems to manage it effectively. As a result, improper waste disposal has led to environmental degradation, health hazards, and economic losses. Pakistan generates approximately 49-50 million ton of solid waste annually, with an annual growth rate surpassing 2%, yet only 50-60% assembled, and an even smaller fraction is properly treated or disposed of. Inefficient collection systems, open dumping, lack of waste segregation, and limited recycling infrastructure has intensified the crisis, particularly in urban areas. Plastic waste constitutes about 10-15% of municipal waste, further complicating management due to low recycling rate.

Keywords: Solid Waste; Waste Management; Balochistan; Recycling; Sustainability

Citation

Tabassum Khan N, Tabasum A. Waste Management Crisis in Pakistan with Focus on Balochistan Addressing Environmental Impacts and Advancing Sustainable Development Goals through Policy and Practice. WebLog J Environ Sci. wjets.2026.j2603. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23883616