Sepa to take tough action over unsafe disposal of hazardous waste

The Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (Sepa) on Monday decided to take tough action against those responsible for the unsafe disposal of hazardous waste in the city, warning that fake incineration service providers would be dealt with iron hands.

The decision was taken during an emergency meeting held with Sepa Director General Naeem Ahmed Mughal in chair to review and enhance safe disposal practices for hazardous waste in the city.

Sepa officials emphasised the need for an efficient disposal mechanism for hazardous waste material at incinerator plants, ensuring environmental safety and public health. Talking to the representatives of six leading incineration companies operating in the city, Mughal said those involved in unsafe practices for hazardous waste disposal would be dealt with iron hands.

Also, he added, fake incineration service providers would not be spared from strict legal action.

Moreover, he pointed out, if any staff member of Sepa is found involved in supporting unsafe practices of hazardous waste disposal, they would be placed under suspension. The current performance and functioning status of the incineration plants were also reviewed during the meeting, with a focus on maintaining operational excellence.

The meeting also discussed the energy and electricity consumption of the incineration plants, highlighting the importance of energy efficiency in the disposal process. The cost-effectiveness of incineration as a waste disposal method was also analysed, considering both economic and environmental impacts.

The prevailing handling mechanisms, including transportation, storage, and disposal of both hazardous and non-hazardous waste materials, were also scrutinised during the meeting for improvements.

The representatives were instructed to maintain accurate quantification records of waste handling, including ash disposal, to ensure transparency and accountability. It was stressed in the meeting that a comprehensive list of waste materials and their sources is to be provided, aiding in the tracking and the management of hazardous waste.

The status of pollution control equipment and monitoring reports were reviewed to ensure compliance with environmental standards. The companies were reminded to adhere to the conditions of the environmental impact assessment approval, with a compliance report to be submitted for review.

Sepa Senior Director Waqar Hussain Phulpoto was tasked with monitoring the incinerator of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation installed at Mewa Shah to decide further course of action in this regard.

In his concluding remarks, Mughal said Sepa is committed to safeguarding the environment and public health by enforcing stringent waste disposal practices, apart from other pollution control measures. “This meeting marks a significant step towards a cleaner and safer Karachi.” Sepa Director Waris Gabol, and deputy directors Mujtaba Baig, Muneer Abbasi and Kamran Khan were also present at the meeting.