LAHORE: The American magazine Forbes has commended the Punjab government for its ‘Suthra Punjab’ (Clean Punjab) initiative.
In its report, Forbes highlighted that the Suthra Punjab program has evolved into the world’s largest integrated waste management system. The Punjab government successfully addressed the province’s waste issues in just eight months, offering an effective solution.
The report emphasized that as part of the program, 50,000 tons of waste are collected daily, streets have been thoroughly cleaned, and pollution levels have markedly decreased.
Additionally, the initiative has created over 100,000 jobs and introduced dependable waste collection services to millions of residents for the first time.
Suthra Punjab was showcased at COP30 on an international platform, where it was acknowledged as a model for “Integrated Waste and Climate Action.”
According to Forbes, this initiative provides valuable insights for global leaders and sets a high standard for efficient urban waste management.
The success of Suthra Punjab was achieved through a three-tier financing model that integrates public and private funding sources.
Modest user fees were introduced to foster a sense of shared responsibility. The government contributed seed grants for public amenities such as street sweeping, while revenue from carbon credits and waste-to-energy projects opened additional funding opportunities.
To ensure transparency, all funds are funneled into an escrow account managed by the waste authority.
