Karachi produces more than 14,800 tonnes of waste every day, but much of its economic value remains unused because of gaps in collection, sorting and recycling.
The Sindh Solid Waste Management Board estimates that around 42% of the city’s waste is organic material. If separated properly, it could be turned into compost or biogas instead of being dumped in open spaces.
Poor waste management is also worsening air pollution. The Pakistan Air Quality Initiative’s 2025 emissions report attributes around 7% of Karachi’s fine particle pollution (PM2.5) to the open burning of rubbish. Uncollected garbage also blocks drains and contributes to urban flooding.
A 2023 study estimated that informal recyclers recover around 4,100 tonnes of waste daily, creating an informal recycling economy worth approximately Rs1.2 billion annually.
Better waste collection, recycling facilities and composting could help reduce pollution while creating jobs and income. Bringing informal waste collectors into the formal system could also improve working conditions and help Karachi recover more useful materials from its growing waste stream.
