ISLAMABAD: As the civic agency of the federal capital has ignored slum areas, the dwellers have launched their own solid waste management system.

At the same time, the model adopted by the residents of slums with the help of development partners showed that civic agency can also generate finances f rom the garbage generated in Islamabad.

With no earbage collecting mechanism, four slum H9community, I-9 community, G-7 Faisal Colony and G-7 Allama Iqbal Colony were almost surrounded by huge piles of garbage with the only visible solution being open burning of the waste.

However, after collective efforts of the local community and the development partners, including Tearfund and Pak Mission Society, implemented the `Saaf Mahaol` initiative, not only leading to cleaner localities but also generating additional income for those involved garbage collecting.

`This initiative has been able to control almost 90 per cent of open dumping and waste burning in the area,` said Saima Williams, thematic lead climate action for Pak Mission Society.

Briefing media about the project, she said that there were three components of the system implemented at these four slums door to door collectionof garbage, selling of some material to junk dealers and utilising the organic waste for compost.

`We had to start by creating awareness, now people understand the importance of clean localities so they give domestic waste to the collection staff.

She added that af ter segregation, some items were sold to the junk dealers that generated almost Rs700 daily to the team of 3-4 persons.

`The organic waste ends at a project Haryali Hub a make-shif t arrangement where green is turned into compost and the plastic bags into tiles with solar energy,` she added.

To ensure the sustainability of Saaf Mahool, responsibility for solid waste management services was transferred to the targeted communities which gave them the authority and control over the operation, management and maintenance services, ensuring the system`s longterm viability.The Solar Thermal Plastic Waste Recycling Plant at Haryali Hub is a locally made plant, making one tile in 15 minutes using almost one kg of plastic bags, which are used as stepping stones in gardens etc.

The compost is formed as the green waste is separated from the rest of the garbage and stored in especially designed containers for 45 days.

`From 5,000 kg of green waste, we produce 1,500 kg of high-quality organic compost which is bought in advance by the nurseries of H-9 area,` said Sumbal, H aryali Hub`s Project Manager.

`As environmentalists, we believe that waste is a resource which has a lot of potentials and if utilised properly, it can lead to dif ferent business streams,` she added.

She said the CDA and MCI can replicate the model at large scale to prevent degradation of environment at the landfill sites. It will help raise finances for the civic agency too.