By Azeem Ahmed Khan

Pakistan aims to become a zero-waste economy by 2050 while installing up to 300 megawatts of waste-to-energy capacity by 2040, under an ambitious circular economy strategy outlined in an official document.

The strategy sets out a transition towards a resource-efficient system that maximises reuse and recycling, with a target of equipping all major cities with functional wastewater treatment and recycling plants by 2030. It also envisages installing 50-100 MW of waste-to-energy capacity by 2030, with at least one major plant in each major city, shows the document available with Wealth Pakistan.

At the core of the strategy is the goal to transition Pakistan towards a circular economy that maximises resource efficiency, eliminates waste, and converts outputs into inputs for new value streams.

As part of the shift, Pakistan plans to establish its first industrial-scale lithium-ion battery recycling facility by 2027. The strategy further sets targets for recovering and recycling end-of-life electric vehicle batteries and e-waste: a minimum of 30% by 2030, 75% by 2040 and close to full recovery by 2050.

The document highlights that Pakistan’s transition to a climate-resilient and resource-efficient economy requires rethinking the use of materials, water, and energy across sectors. With rapid urbanisation, industrial expansion, and rising environmental pressures, the traditional “take-make-dispose” model is no longer sustainable.

It notes that adopting a circular economy can help reduce waste, extend resource lifecycles, and turn environmental challenges into economic opportunities.

Among key initiatives to support the development of a circular economy, a project by Biowaste Energy Ventures Ltd. aims to convert organic waste into biomethane, pellets, and compost, helping replace imported RLNG and cut methane emissions. The project involves an investment of about $8 million and is expected to avoid up to 491,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent annually, while generating savings of around Rs300,000 per farmer each year.

Another initiative focuses on textile waste recycling, targeting the processing of 270,000 tonnes of waste annually into products such as rugs and cushions, with 95% for export markets. The project requires an estimated $20 million investment, with support from the government and donors, and offers a projected economic return of 20-40% with a payback period of four years.

The document describes these initiatives as part of broader efforts to support green investment and strengthen Pakistan’s transition to a sustainable circular economy.

Credit: INP-WealthPk