‘Waste recycling to help resolve environ issues’

LAHORE:Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq has said that recycling of waste will greatly help in solving environmental problems. The Punjab government will encourage local and foreign investors to set up waste-to-energy plants in the province.

He was speaking in a meeting held in his office in which a briefing was given on proposals related to waste recycling. Chinese Business Council President Chen Qian Jiang and Agha Ali Haider MPA were also present. LWMC CEO Babar Sahib Din gave a presentation about the waste produced in Lahore while the Chinese delegation informed about their company’s expertise in making building bricks from waste.

Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq said that the Punjab government welcomes the offer to set up a waste recycling plant. He said that more than 60,000 tons waste is being generated in Punjab every day. ‘Four to five thousand tons of garbage is collected every day in Lahore alone. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz is taking concrete steps to eliminate pollution. Every positive suggestion in this regard will be considered’, he resolved.

Zeeshan Rafiq expressed satisfaction over the fact that the Chinese company’s project will be free of pollution and noise. He emphasised that measures are necessary to set up waste-to-energy plants near major cities, including Lahore. ‘The next phase of the Suthra Punjab programme is making arrangements for the safe dumping and recycling of waste’, he added. The LG Minister directed Babar Sahib Din to liaise with the Chinese delegation and submit a detailed report on waste recycling.