Promoting Sustainability and Decent Work in the PET recycling value chain - A pilot project in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT)

The pilot project enhances the PET bottle collection and recycling value chain in Pakistan’s Capital Territory by integrating principles of sustainability, circular economy, and decent work. It seeks to address both environmental and socio-economic challenges through targeted interventions that empower informal waste workers and reduce plastic waste that often ends up in landfills. The project maps and determines a baseline study to provide an in-depth assessment of the PET waste flow from collection through to recycling. It also highlights opportunities for improvement and proposes innovative ways to enhance PET recovery rates through efficient and effective waste management solutions. A major component of the initiative focuses on capacity building and worker empowerment. Informal waste workers, who often operate in unsafe and precarious conditions, are trained on waste sorting, occupational safety and health (OSH), and fundamental labor rights. These trainings also cover essential topics such as collective bargaining and the prevention of child labor, enabling workers to advocate for fair wages and better working conditions. In addition, the project helps organize informal workers into cooperatives or worker groups, allowing them to formalize their operations, strengthen their collective voice, and gain access to more stable and equitable recycling supply chains. The project also prioritizes stakeholder engagement and advocacy by facilitating structured dialogue between key actors, including the government, recyclers, waste management authorities, and private sector partners. These efforts promote the policy adoption of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) models, which require producers to take accountability for their products throughout their lifecycle, including post-consumer waste management. The advocacy component aligns with Pakistan’s commitments under the national living Indus River ecosystem. In parallel, the project strengthens the enabling environment for sustainable waste management. It contributes to the development of policy recommendations for mproving regulatory frameworks and supporting a just transition for waste workers. The anticipated impact of the project spans environmental, social, and economic dimensions. The project advances Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12 on responsible consumption and production. Its focus on decent work, labor rights, and worker safety contributes to SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth. By formalizing informal waste workers into organized groups or cooperatives, the project promotes social inclusion and equality, contributing to SDG 10 on reduced inequalities.

Project symbol

PAK/25/04/UNO

Admin unit

CO-Islamabad

Start date

01/10/2025

End date

31/01/2027

Total allocation

385235

Total expenditure

Status

Active

17871

Development Partners

United Nations Office for Project Services

Country/Countries

Pakistan

Outcomes

Outcome 4: Sustainable enterprises for inclusive growth and decent work