Sanitation workers barred from selling recyclable waste

MARDAN: Introducing a new policy, the Water and Sanitation Services Company Mardan has directed the sanitation workers to hand over all recyclable materials such as plastic bottles and cardboards collected during their shifts to the organization.

Under this new rule, the workers, who were caught selling or keeping these items for personal use, would face strict disciplinary measures, sources said.Many impoverished people in Mardan rely on collecting and selling recyclable waste to earn a living.

Every day thousands of people search through the city’s streets, garbage dumps, and bins especially during early morning and late-night hours to find materials they can sell to provide for their families.

Critics have pointed out that the new directive did not clarify how the organization intended to monitor informal waste pickers, particularly during hours when official operations were minimal.“Who will monitor the waste containers late at night or early in the morning?” asked one resident.

The directive comes amid scrutiny over the company’s internal spending. Just a few months ago, the Board of Governors reportedly approved an honorarium of Rs35,000 for each board member per meeting. At the same time, residents continued to complain that the sanitation company cleaning efforts largely focus on main roads, neglecting inner neighbourhoods and lower-income areas.

Many observers asked the sanitation company to rethink its policy and engage with informal workers before moving forward with decisions that could disrupt the livelihoods of thousands of vulnerable families. They argued the sanitation company would be better served by increasing transparency and cutting down on unnecessary administrative expenses rather than targeting the poorest segments of the community.