Pakistan faces a mounting challenge with plastic waste management.

The country generates approximately 3.9 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, yet only about three per cent is recycled, despite having an estimated recycling potential of 18pc. A significant portion of this waste, around 164,332 tonnes, is transported by the Indus River system to the sea each year, contributing to marine pollution.

This situation underscores the urgency for systemic changes in waste management practices. The current infrastructure struggles with outdated production systems, rigid supply chains, and limited access to green manufacturing technologies. These challenges are compounded by a lack of supportive regulatory frameworks and slow adaptation of industry standards.

To address these issues, there is a pressing need for policy-level incentives that reward sustainable manufacturing practices. Public-private partnerships can play a pivotal role in de-risking early-stage scale-ups, while a centralised innovation framework can bridge the gap between industry, academia, and research and development hubs.

Encouraging circular economy principles, such as recycling, reuse, repurposing, and waste reduction, not merely as compliance measures but as business advantages, is essential.

By redefining waste as a valuable resource and a raw material for new products, energy, or economic growth, businesses can drive both environmental and business success

Some companies are actively investing in closed-loop systems and exploring solutions to repurpose waste materials into durable, eco-friendly products, particularly in non-food........

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