PAKISTAN BASELINE ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT SCENARIO OF PLASTIC WASTE MANAGEMENT ISLAMABAD CAPITAL TERRITORY (ICT) AND AYUBIA NATIONAL PARK (ANP) Copyright © 2019 UNESCO Islamabad Material in this report maybe reproduced for non-profit and academic purposes, provided due acknowledgement of the source is made. Disclaimer: The information contained herein is as per conditions during the time of survey and is shared in good faith. WWF-Pakistan or UNESCO will not be responsible for any legal action taken by anyone. Authors: Muhammad Hamza Abbas and Haider Ali - WWF-Pakistan Co-author: Misha Khan, WWF-Pakistan Editors: Dr Masood Arshad, -Nazifa Butt and Maryam Arshad - WWF-Pakistan Photo credits: © WWF-Pakistan Designed by Syeda Sadia Gilani, Sana Maqsood, Communications Department, WWF-Pakistan This report is available at: UNESCO Islamabad 7 th Floor, Serena Business Complex, Sector G-5/1, Islamabad, Pakistan Tel: +92-51-2600242 – 49 Fax: +92-51-2600250 Email: [email protected] Website: www.unesco.org.pk BASELINE ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT SCENARIO OF PLASTIC WASTE MANAGEMENT ISLAMABAD CAPITAL TERRITORY (ICT) AND AYUBIA NATIONAL PARK (ANP) Conducted by WWF-Pakistan November 2019 CONTENTS Foreword I Preface III List of Acronyms V Acknowledgements VII Executive Summary IX 1. Introduction 1 2. Methodology 3 2.1 Focus group discussions 3 2.2 Identification of scope areas 4 2.2.1 Islamabad Capital Territory 4 2.2.2 Ayubia National Park 6 2.3 Establishing a sample size for physical plastic waste assessment 6 2.3.1 Defining sample cycle for urban ICT 8 2.3.2 Defining sample cycle for rural ICT 8 2.3.3 Defining sample cycle for ANP 8 2.4 Establishing a sample size for interviews/questionnaires 9 2.5 Data collection 10 2.5.1 Questionnaires 10 2.5.2 Interviews 10 2.5.3 Waste sampling 10 2.6 Data analysis through SPSS/Microsoft Excel 11 3 Results from waste sampling 12 3.1 Estimated quantity of plastic generated in ICT and ANP 12 3.2 Results from the waste assessments in ICT 13 3.2.1 Characterization of plastic waste in ICT over weekend and weekday 13 3.2.2 Sector-wise plastic generation 14 3.2.3 Plastic waste characterization with reference to stakeholders 16 3.2.4 Plastic waste generation patterns of all stakeholders in ICT 16 3.2.4 Plastic waste generation patterns of all stakeholders in ICT 17 3.3 Results from waste assessments in ANP 19 3.3.1 Cumulative characterization of plastic waste in ANP 19 3.3.2 Characterization of plastic waste in ANP over weekend and weekday 20 3.3.3 Sector-wise plastic generation 22 3.3.4 Plastic waste characterization with reference to stakeholders 22 3.3.5 Plastic waste generation patterns of all stakeholders in ANP 23 4. Results from interviews/questionnaires 25 4.1 Overall representation of recycling/reuse trend among consumers 25 4.2 Results from interviews/questionnaires administered in ICT 25 4.2.1 Characterization of generation patterns in ICT 25 4.2.2 Analysis of formal collection 26 4.2.3 Plastic waste types reported by informal waste collectors 27 4.2.4 Sources of waste for scavengers in ICT 28 4.2.5 Problems reported by scavengers/MCI workers 28 4.2.6 Solutions proposed by scavengers/MCI workers 30 4.2.7 Segregation trend in commercial entities of ICT 31 4.2.8 Gender and age trend in the scavenging/MCI community in ICT 32 4.2.9 Awareness level among indirect and direct manufacturers 33 4.2.10 Recyclers: financial and recycling potential 34 4.3 Results from interviews/questionnaires administered in ANP 35 4.3.1 Characterization of generation pattern in ANP 35 4.3.2 Analysis of formal collection 35 4.3.3 Quantities of plastic waste types reported by informal waste collectors 36 4.3.4 Sources of waste for scavengers in ANP 38 4.3.5 Segregation trend in commercial entities of ANP 38 4.3.6 Gender and age trend in scavenging/MCI community of ANP 39 5. Constraints 40 6. Conclusion and discussions 41 6.1 Formalizing the informal sector 42 6.2 Recycling potential and feasibility 43 7. Recommendations 46 8. Annexure I Graphs 48 Characterization of plastic waste in urban ICT 49 Characterization of plastic waste in urban ICT over weekday and weekend 49 Characterization of plastic waste in rural ICT 50 Characterization of plastic waste in rural ICT over weekend and weekday 50 9. Annexure II Questionnaires 51 9.1 Commercial questionnaire 52 9.2 Household consumption questionnaire 53 9.3 Formal sector collector questionnaire 54 9.4 Questionnaire for hospitals 55 9.5 Junk dealers questionnaire 56 9.6 Indirect manufacturers of plastic 57 9.7 Recyclers questionnaire 58 9.8 Scavengers/municipal workers questionnaire 60 LIST OF TABLES Table 1: Scope areas 5 Table 2: Cumulative sample size of physical waste assessment in ICT and ANP 7 Table 3: Cumulative sample size of interviews/questionnaires administered in ICT and ANP 9 Table 4: Categories of plastics 11 Table 5: Estimated quantity of plastics in ICT and ANP as per waste generation 12 Table 6: Overall characterization of plastic waste - ICT 13 Table 7: Characterization of plastic waste generated during weekday - ICT 15 Table 8: Characterization of plastic waste generated during weekend - ICT 15 Table 9: Overall characterization of plastic waste - ANP 19 Table 10: Characterization of plastic waste generated during weekday - ANP 21 Table 11: Characterization of plastic waste generated during weekend - ANP 21 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: Heap of plastic waste 1 Figure 2: Scope areas - ICT 3 Figure 3: Meeting with capital development authority 3 Figure 4: Meeting with field supervisor Mr.Zain / Inspector G9 4 Figure 5: Scope areas - ICT 5 Figure 6: Scope areas - ANP 6 Figure 7: Cumulative characterization of plastic waste in ICT 13 Figure 8: Overall characterization of plastic waste in ICT 14 Figure 9: Overall sector wise characterization of plastic waste in ICT 16 Figure 10: Overall characterization of plastic waste in ICT in accordance with stakeholders 17 Figure 11: Dumpsite in commercial area F-11 17 Figure 12: Plastic waste generation patterns of all stakeholders in ICT 18 Figure 13: Segregated plastic from waste sample in G-9 18 Figure 14: Waste at I-12 dumpsite 18 Figure 15: Cumulative characterization of plastic waste in ANP 19 Figure 16: Overall characterization of plastic waste in ANP 20 Figure 17: Overall sector wise characterization of plastic waste in ANP 22 Figure 18: Overall characterization of plastic waste in ANP in accordance with stakeholders 23 Figure 19: Assistance provided by GDA’s field officer in Dunga Galli 23 Figure 20: Plastic waste generation patterns of all stakeholders in ANP 24 Figure 21: Sorting of different types of plastics from mixed waste in Nathiagali 24 Figure 22: Weighing of plastic found in water sample of Ayubia 24 Figure 23: Consumer response on reuse/recycle probability of plastics 25 Figure 24: Characterization of generation patterns in ICT 26 Figure 25: Plastic waste types reported by informal waste collectors 27 Figure 26: Average quantity of plastic waste collected by scavengers/month 27 Figure 27: Average quantity of plastic waste collected by junk dealers/month 28 Figure 28: Sources of waste for scavengers in ICT 29 Figure 29: Problems reported by scavengers/MCI workers 29 Figure 30: Solutions proposed by scavengers/MCI workers 30 Figure 31: Segregation trend in commercial entities of ICT 31 Figure 32: Gender and age trend in scavenging/MCI community of ICT 32 Figure 33: Characterization of the generation pattern in ANP 35 Figure 34: Quantities of plastic waste types reported by informal waste collectors 36 Figure 35: Average quantity of plastic waste per scavenger 37 Figure 36: Average quantity of plastic waste per junk dealer 37 Figure 37: Segregation trend in commercialentities of ANP 38 Figure 38: Characterization of generation pattern in ANP 39 Figure 39: Sorting of different types of plastic from B-17’s commercial faced sample 44 FOREWORD Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing global environmental issues affecting terrestrial, coastal, marine and natural ecosystems. In Pakistan, the situation is very precarious due to lack of public Vibeke Jensen - Representative/Director awareness, resources and management capacity. UNESCO Islamabad Land and water-based pollution are posing threats to the local communities and biodiversity. The Indus River has been found to be one of the most polluted rivers in the world. To address the situation Pakistan needs reliable statistics to understand how much plastic is produced, Vibeke Jensen, Representative/Director recycled and wasted in the country. The broader UNESCO Islamabad policies and regulations are available for plastic management but implementation is very weak, this is why actual facts and figures are needed to help put effective implementation in place. Within the framework of the UNESCO’s Programme 2018-19, UNESCO has contributed to a variety of initiatives on natural and water resource management in Pakistan. Among other things, UNESCO initiated this baseline study on plastic waste for Islamabad Capital Territory and Ayubia National Park. The study has been conducted by World Wide Fund for Nature-Pakistan. The study has covered all types of plastic waste in the two areas and has identified opportunities for future actions. The study also provides a framework for further similar studies of other cities in Pakistan. I PREFACE Complacency in addressing the negative externali- ties of plastic pollution has become endemic in our society. Part of the reason for this negligence is the immense convenience plastic products bring in everyday life. Plastic waste, especially in the develop- ing world, is increasing at an exponential rate due to consumer driven behavior, lack of at-source waste separation, improper disposal and informal recycling of plastics.