Evaluating the Operational Efficiency of Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC): A Comprehensive Analysis
Keywords:
Lahore, waste, energy, MSWAbstract
Lahore Waste Management Company LWMC, established in 2011, outsourced its solid waste management (SWM) operations to Turkish firms initially, resulting in an increase in solid waste collection from 76% to 96% between 2011 and 2018. However, after terminating contracts with Turkish firms due to administrative and legal issues, LWMC adopted a hybrid model involving locally hired contractors, leading to a decline in solid waste collection to 67% in 2021. Therefore this research has analyzed the difference between the operational models of Turkish and local contractors regarding waste collection efficiency. The research has performed a regression analysis based on a mixed-method approach, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative data. Primary data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to 68 respondents using a Likert scale, supplemented by open-ended questions for qualitative responses. The study recommends that LWMC initiates an ISWM model encompassing recycling, composting, energy production, and waste reduction to enhance operational efficiency. Additionally, the promulgation of an SWM law is suggested to empower LWMC with enforcement and fine-levying capabilities, thereby increasing its revenue sources and reducing dependence on provincial loans. Greater autonomy and professionalism in LWMC's SWM approach are proposed to develop an efficient and sustainable business model for improved operational efficiency.
Downloads
References
Azam, M., Jahromy, S. S., Raza, W., Raza, N., Lee, S. S., Kim, K. H., & Winter, F. (2020). Status, characterization, and potential utilization of municipal solid waste as renewable energy source: Lahore case study in Pakistan. Environment international, 134, 105291. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2019.105291
Batool, S. A., & Ch, M. N. (2009). Municipal solid waste management in Lahore city district, Pakistan. Waste management, 29(6), 1971-1981. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2008.12.016
Bureau of Statistics. (2017). Lahore District. https://www.pbs.gov.pk/census-2017-district-wise/results/053
Cheela, V. S., Ranjan, V. P., Goel, S., John, M., & Dubey, B. (2021). Pathways to sustainable waste management in Indian Smart Cities. Journal of Urban Management, 10(4), 419-429. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jum.2021.05.002
Gupta, S., Mohan, K., Prasad, R., Gupta, S., & Kansal, A. (1998). Solid waste management in India: options and opportunities. Resources, conservation and recycling, 24(2), 137-154. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0921-3449(98)00033-0
Iqbal, A., Yasar, A., Nizami, A. S., Sharif, F., Tabinda, A. B., Sultan, I. A., Batool, S. A., Haider, R., Shahid, A., Chaudhary, M. M., & Ahmad, M. (2023). Evolution of solid waste management system in Lahore: a step towards sustainability of the sector in Pakistan. Applied Sciences, 13(2), 983. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/2/983
Javed, N., & Riaz, S. (2020). Issues in urban planning and policy: The case study of Lahore, Pakistan. New Urban Agenda in Asia-Pacific: Governance for sustainable and inclusive cities, 117-162. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-6709-0_5
Kaza, S., Yao, L., Bhada-Tata, P., & Van Woerden, F. (2018). What a waste 2.0: a global snapshot of solid waste management to 2050. World Bank Publications.
Khan, I. U., Waseer, W. A., Ullah, S., & Khan, S. A. (2019). ‘Wasteaware’ indicators: an assessment of the current solid waste management system in Lahore, Pakistan. Asia Pacific Journal of Energy and Environment, 6(2), 49-58. https://doi.org/10.18034/apjee.v6i2.264
Lahore Waste Management Company. (n.d.). Evaluation Report. https://www.lwmc.com.pk/evaluation-report.php
Masood, M., Barlow, C. Y., & Wilson, D. C. (2014). An assessment of the current municipal solid waste management system in Lahore, Pakistan. Waste Management & Research, 32(9), 834-847. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0734242X14545373?journalCode=wmra
Navarro-Esbrı, J., Diamadopoulos, E., & Ginestar, D. (2002). Time series analysis and forecasting techniques for municipal solid waste management. Resources, conservation and Recycling, 35(3), 201-214. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0921344902000022
Sadef, Y., Nizami, A. S., Batool, S. A., Chaudary, M. N., Ouda, O. K. M., Asam, Z. Z., Habib, K., Rehan,M., & Demirbas, A. (2016). Waste-to-energy and recycling value for developing integrated solid waste management plan in Lahore. Energy Sources, Part B: Economics, Planning, and Policy, 11(7), 569–579. https://doi.org/10.1080/15567249.2015.1052595
Sajjad, M. W., Javed, S. A., & Ahmad, I. (2015). Local Governments and Sustainable Urban Development; A Case Study of Lahore Metropolitan Corporation. https://file-thesis.pide.org.pk/pdf/mphil-public-policy-2015-muhammad-waseem-sajjad--local-governments-and-sustainable-urban-development-a-case-study-of-lahore-metropolitan-corporation.pdf
The World Bank. (n.d.). What a Waste 2.0: A Global Snapshot of Solid Waste Management to 2050 (English). https://documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-reports/documentdetail/697271544470229584/what-a-waste-2-0-a-global-snapshot-of-solid-waste-management-to-2050#:~:text=By%202050%2C%20the%20world%20is,the%20national%20and%20urban%20levels.
Vidanaarachchi, C. K., Yuen, S. T., & Pilapitiya, S. (2006). Municipal solid waste management in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka: Problems, issues and challenges. Waste management, 26(8), 920-930. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2005.09.013
Vinti, G., Bauza, V., Clasen, T., Medlicott, K., Tudor, T., Zurbrügg, C., & Vaccari, M. (2021). Municipal solid waste management and adverse health outcomes: A systematic review. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(8), 4331. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18084331
