The Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) and a Norwegian business have signed a memorandum of understanding for the installation of a 60–70 kW waste energy plant, which would feed the industrial estates. LWMC Chief Executive Officer Ali Anan Qamar made the remarks in a speech to the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He said that generating electricity from waste will not only help eradicate waste but also environmental problems.

Qamar said that 20 billion metric tonnes of garbage are dumped in the Lakho Der and Mahmood Booti regions, where they are generating harmful methane gas that threatens the ozone layer and pollutes groundwater. The main issues, according to him, are at Lahore's entry and departure points, including Babusabu, Thokar, and Shahdara. "We have formed road gangs with 15 boys who continuously spray water on the road to remove dust and maintain cleanliness," he continued.

He said that LWMC is also in talks to produce electricity from garbage with other German and Norwegian businesses. He added that the globe is working hard to waste energy production. Speaking on the occasion, LCCI President Kashif Anwar said the industry contributes just 20% of smog, making it play a relatively small part in pollution. He suggested starting a campaign to raise awareness about Clean Lahore, which LCCI will also support.

According to him, the Lahore Waste Management Company is establishing a help desk at LCCI to assist businesspeople in resolving their cleanliness issues. Kashif said that the performance of LWMC clearly changed a few years ago when the government entered joint ventures with the Turkish businesses Al Bayark and OZpak. Such endeavours, he continued, can help keep the city tidy and clean.

He asserted that the concept of converting garbage into energy has gained recognition on a global scale. Lahore city is disposing of millions of tonnes of solid trash that should be used to generate electricity, he added. In order to tackle the garbage that seeps into the earth and contaminates the water, he said that LWMC has asked international businesses to set up water treatment facilities in Lahore. The corporation is also collaborating with the Ravi Urban Development Authority.

The majority of the warehouses, according to the president of LCCI, are constructed in basements and hold products worth hundreds of millions of rupees. According to him, the sewage system is choked with waste that gets caught in it since there aren't enough cleaning procedures in place in the markets. Rainwater also enters basements and causes significant damage. He stated that the LWMC must set up a system to guarantee sewer line cleaning.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk