Experts suggest a multi-pronged strategy to combat outdoor waste burning. This includes encouraging waste segregation in households to separate recyclables, organic waste, and other refuse; converting organic waste into nutrient-rich compost; establishing more collection points and incentivizing private recycling companies.
By Samina Chaudhary
Fatima, a mother in Rawalpindi’s Dhok Hassu, watches her six-year-old son struggle for breath, his small chest heaving with each cough. Every morning, a thick, acrid smoke from burning waste drifts into their home, exacerbating his chronic asthma. “I wake up to this haze every day,” she says, her voice thick with worry. “My son’s condition worsens with every breath.” Her story, shared with APP, is a common one in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, where the pervasive issue of open waste burning casts a long shadow over the health and well-being of residents.
For Fatima and countless others, the daily struggle is a fight for clean air and a healthy life. These rapidly urbanizing cities grapple with inadequate waste management, leaving residents to bear the brunt of a problem that smothers communities in toxic fumes and threatens the environment. In many low-income areas, like Fatima’s, overflowing bins and infrequent garbage collection force residents to take matters into their own hands. Burning trash becomes a grim necessity – a way to clear space, reduce pests, and manage the overwhelming piles of refuse that accumulate on their doorsteps.
Ahmed, a shopkeeper in Rawalpindi, echoes this sentiment. “When garbage collectors don’t come for weeks,” he explains, justifying the practice, “what else can we do?” This desperate measure, however, comes at a steep price. The burning of plastics, food scraps, discarded clothing, and other waste materials releases a cocktail of toxic chemicals into the air, poisoning both the environment and the people who breathe it.
What Medics Say
The pollutants released from open burning are a serious health hazard. Dr. Ejaz Ahmed, an environmentalist, warns of the insidious nature of these toxins. “Chemicals like dioxins, heavy metals, and fine particulate matter are released into the atmosphere,” he explains. “These settle into our lungs, our bloodstream, and even contaminate the food we consume. The effects are devastating, leading to a range of health problems, from respiratory illnesses to cancer.”
Dr. Saira, a pulmonologist who spoke with APP, confirms the growing health crisis, particularly among vulnerable populations like children and the elderly. “Chronic exposure to this polluted air is causing long-term lung damage,” she says, “and even lung cancer. We are seeing a surge in respiratory illnesses, especially among children.” Like Fatima’s son, many children miss school due to recurring illnesses, placing a further burden on families already struggling to afford expensive and ongoing medical treatments.
The damage extends far beyond human health. The once-lush green spaces of Islamabad and Rawalpindi are now scarred by ash and toxic residues. Dr. Ahmed explains how waste burning poisons the soil and contaminates water sources. “Harmful chemicals are carried by rainwater into streams and underground water systems, disrupting fragile ecosystems and threatening biodiversity.” Local wildlife also suffers. Birds and pollinators like bees are disappearing from urban parks, further diminishing the natural beauty of the twin cities.
Amid this environmental and public health crisis, informal waste pickers play a crucial, albeit dangerous, role. Gul Rahim, a waste picker in Islamabad, describes the harsh realities of his work. “We do the work that no one else wants to do,” he says, “yet we receive no protection.” These workers, often from marginalized communities, sift through the mountains of waste, salvaging recyclables without protective gear, exposing themselves to a constant barrage of toxins and putting their own health at extreme risk.
Working Best Practices
The open waste burning crisis highlights the glaring weaknesses in existing waste management policies and their enforcement. Dr. Zeighum Abbas, Director of the Environmental Protection Agency, acknowledges the problem and calls for a holistic approach. “We need better waste segregation at the source, more efficient collection systems, and increased recycling capacity,” he emphasizes. “Local governments must enforce penalties for open burning, but they must also provide viable alternatives for waste disposal.”
Experts suggest a multi-pronged strategy to combat open waste burning. This includes encouraging waste segregation in households to separate recyclables, organic waste, and other refuse; converting organic waste into nutrient-rich compost; establishing more collection points and incentivizing private recycling companies to alleviate pressure on landfills; launching public awareness campaigns and clean-up drives to shift public behaviour; and enforcing stricter bans on open burning while simultaneously ensuring that waste management systems are functional and accessible.
Cities like Stockholm, Kigali, and Bengaluru offer examples of successful waste management strategies that have drastically reduced open waste burning. These cities demonstrate that change is possible with strong political will, effective policies, and public engagement. Islamabad and Rawalpindi have the potential to follow suit, reclaiming their once pristine environment and safeguarding the health of their citizens.
The air in Islamabad and Rawalpindi hangs heavy with smoke, a constant reminder of the damage being inflicted on the environment and public health. Families like Fatima’s are trapped in a cycle of polluted air and the constant threat of respiratory illness. But it doesn’t have to be this way. These twin cities, once known for their greenery and fresh air, can reclaim their lost beauty. The choice is clear: continue down the path of pollution and disease, or embrace sustainable waste management practices for a cleaner, healthier future. The time for action is now. Authorities, communities, and individuals must unite to demand cleaner air, safer waste disposal, and a better quality of life for all. Every fire lit today leaves behind a legacy of harm, one that future generations cannot afford to inherit.
