Patterns of Municipal Waste Generation and Composition in Socio-Economic Zones of Clifton, Karachi, Pakistan
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31384/jisrmsse/2025.23.4.5Keywords:
Solid Waste, socio economic zone, physical properties, solid waste management, urban areaAbstract
Managing solid waste is a big issue in urban city like Karachi, Pakistan, where economic and social conditions vary. After reviewing already published literature, it was found that very few studies on waste management in Karachi City. To fulfil this gap, this study was conducting on solid waste from different locations in Karachi. This study mainly focusses on its physical features such as composition, average rate of generation, bulk density and moisture content. Three income zones were selected including (1) Shireen Jinnah Colony, (2) Clifton Block 1 and (3) Clifton Block 2. Study result highlighted clear differences in waste generation per person on daily basis. Low-income families generate waste around 0.58 kilograms while 0.69 kilograms waste is generated by middle-income households, and close to 0.83 kilograms of waste is generated by high-income groups. Analysis shows that low-income groups generated mostly organic waste (~50%), middle-income people generate mix of organics and recyclables waste, while high-income families generate less organic waste (≈33%). Study also reveals that high-income groups generate other types of waste also such as paper, plastics, metals, glass, and e-waste (up to 20–25%). These all things reflect differences in generating waste in the study area as socio-economic zone disparities. Solid waste management authorities need to understand the need for zone-specific and income-sensitive approaches for sustainable solid waste management.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Mr Sohaib ur Rehman , Mr. Aizaz Ahmed , DR. MANZOOR AHMED SANJRANI, Ms Saira Khan
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