The Punjab government has launched the next phase of the Suthra Punjab Program, focusing on transforming environmentally hazardous landfill sites into valuable national assets through waste recycling.
One of the key components of this initiative involves converting the Lakhodare waste site, located on the outskirts of Lahore, into a source of biogas and carbon credits. The site is expected to generate 20 tons of biogas and could bring in an estimated Rs 1 billion annually through carbon credit trading under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. Additionally, plans are underway to develop a recycling park near Lahore to further advance sustainable waste management.
A meeting to explore various waste recycling strategies was chaired by Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq on Saturday. The session was attended by Local Government Secretary Shakeel Ahmed Mian, Additional Secretary for Development Ahmer Kaifi, and other senior officials.
Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) CEO Babar Sahib Din presented multiple proposals for waste recycling and utilization. During the discussion, the minister revealed that a project is under consideration to convert animal offal into energy, noting that Lahore alone could produce up to 1,000 tonnes of energy from this source.
To attract investment and raise awareness, the minister instructed officials to organize a roadshow in Lahore or Islamabad, with invitations extended to foreign diplomats. He also suggested that similar events be held abroad to engage international investors. After successful implementation in Lahore, the programme will be expanded to other cities across Punjab.
Secretary Shakeel Ahmed Mian directed LWMC to prepare a detailed presentation for the Chief Minister, emphasizing that waste recycling is a global solution to environmental degradation.
LWMC CEO Babar Sahib Din added that a proposal for a 50-megawatt power plant is being developed in collaboration with the Punjab Energy Department. He highlighted that under the Clean Punjab initiative, a significant amount of waste is collected daily in Lahore, and both local and international firms have expressed interest in participating in the recycling efforts.