Solid Waste Management (SWM) is an increasingly critical challenge in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly with rapid urbanization and changing consumption patterns. Inefficient collection systems, limited disposal capacity, and weak institutional arrangements continue to affect environmental quality and public health. Addressing these challenges requires not only improved infrastructure but also stronger governance models, financial sustainability, and innovative approaches such as resource recovery.
WASHNet encourages academia and research institutions to explore the following priority areas:
- Solid Waste Management institutional arrangement- SWM to be separated from Water and Sanitation?
- Resource recovery from solid waste?
- Research on willingness to pay and tariff modalities to improve services
Improving solid waste management requires a shift towards integrated systems that combine effective governance, financial sustainability, and innovation. Evidence-based research can support policymakers in designing efficient institutional frameworks and unlocking the potential of waste as a resource, contributing to cleaner and more sustainable urban environments.