Faisalabad greenlights mega landfill, recycling projects

In a move aimed at overhauling Punjab's outdated waste disposal system, the Provincial Development Working Party has cleared Rs4.35 billion for establishing engineered landfill sites in two districts, one of them in Faisalabad.

The initiative is being implemented with the support of the Punjab Municipal Development Fund Company (PMDFC).

Official sources revealed that the Faisalabad landfill will be developed at Lakhoana on Jaranwala Road over 150 acres, with a daily capacity to manage 1,100 tons of waste.

The facility will also house an integrated waste recycling project aimed at reducing the burden on landfills and promoting environmentally sustainable practices.

Briefing media representatives, Commissioner Raja Jahangir Anwar said the city urgently needed a modern landfill site to address growing waste disposal challenges.

He added that funds approval by the PDWP marks an important milestone and fieldwork will begin soon as per the approved design.

He noted that the project will be completed within the stipulated time frame and will significantly upgrade the district's waste management infrastructure.

Meanwhile, PMDFC General Manager Adnan Nisar said work on two state-of-the-art Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) in Faisalabad and Gujranwala is also underway under a Design, Build and Operate (DBO) model.

Each MRF will process 500 tons of mixed municipal solid waste per day using advanced sorting technologies, reducing landfill pressure and promoting a circular economy.

He added that the initiative will cut carbon emissions through enhanced recycling of plastics and textiles, along with efficient composting.

Following a competitive bidding process completed between October 2024 and April 2025, FWMC signed the contract on June 18, while Gujranwala Waste Management Company signed on July 7.

Site assessments were finalized on June 4, 2025, and the preliminary design report was submitted on August 27.