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Managing Plastic Waste in Kabul -KHYBER PARVIZ

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Managing Plastic Waste in Kabul Policy Brief

Policy Brief

Managing Plastic Waste in Kabul

-KHYBER PARVIZ-
14.12.2019

Page 1 of 15
 Managing Plastic Waste in Kabul Policy Brief

Managing Plastic Waste in Kabul Policy Brief

Introduction
Executive summary
Although Afghanistan is not an industrial country, it is
• Kabul produces an immense
amount of plastic waste every
listed in the most polluted countries in the world1. The country
day. has not only been affected by proxy wars and civil wars, but also
• Proper waste management
system does not exist in by the pollution generated by the citizens. Along with other
Afghanistan.
problems like instability, violence, and terrorism, pollution has
• Waste is transferred to
dumpsites which is hazardous. also been contributing to the deaths of citizens. In fact, based on
• Absence of public awareness
and not following 3Rs the reports of the Health Effects Institute’s State of Global Air,
• Ban on plastic is not effective.
“Afghanistan has one of the highest per-capita rates of deaths
• Tax & pfand is feasible and
realistic from air pollution in the world.” 2

1
“World Most Polluted Countries in 2018 - PM2.5 Ranking | AirVisual,” accessed December 8, 2019,
https://www.airvisual.com/world-most-polluted-countries.
2
“The Slow Violence of Pollution in Afghanistan,” CEOBS (blog), June 18, 2018, https://ceobs.org/the-slow-
violence-of-pollution-in-afghanistan/.

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Managing Plastic Waste in Kabul Policy Brief

The decades of war in Afghanistan brought about long-lasting environmental issues3.

Millions of people migrated during the war4. Currently, an increasing number of people are
moving back to the country, which also increases population density in cities5. The capital city,
Kabul, is currently home to more than five million inhabitants. After the withdrawal of the Taliban
and hoping for security and economic stability, many dislocated people went back, especially to
the capital. Kabul, once a totally demolished city, is now the fifth fastest growing city in the world.6

Problem recognition
The growing population and
rapid development in the city bring
about an immense amount of waste
accumulation. Based on the reports of
the National Environment Protection
Agency (NEPA), the residents of Kabul
city produce over seven tons of plastic
waste every day. Plastic bags make four tons of waste and the remaining three tons are mostly
plastic bottles.7 The problem does not stop here; the true hazard can be seen in the consequences
of this unmanaged waste. Based on 2006 reports, 0.4kg/day waste per capita was estimated8.

3
U. N. Environment, “Building a Strong Foundation for Responsible Waste Management in Afghanistan,” UN
Environment, July 4, 2019, http://www.unenvironment.org/news-and-stories/story/building-strong-foundation-
responsible-waste-management-afghanistan.
4
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, “Refugees Magazine Issue 108 (Afghanistan : The Unending
Crisis) - The Biggest Caseload in the World,” UNHCR, accessed December 19, 2019,
https://www.unhcr.org/publications/refugeemag/3b680fbfc/refugees-magazine-issue-108-afghanistan-unending-
crisis-biggest-caseload.html.
5
“Returning Home, Afghans Continue to Face Challenges in Rebuilding Their Lives – UN Agencies,” UN News, April
12, 2018, https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/04/1007131.
6
Sune Engel Rasmussen, “Kabul – the Fifth Fastest Growing City in the World – Is Bursting at the Seams,” The
Guardian, December 11, 2014, sec. Cities, https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2014/dec/11/kabul-afghanistan-
fifth-fastest-growing-city-world-rapid-urbanisation.
7
“Kabul Using Seven Tons Of Plastic A Day,” TOLOnews, accessed December 8, 2019, /afghanistan/kabul-using-
seven-tons-plastic-day.
8
Hameedullah NOORI, “Solid Waste Management in Kabul City: Current Practices and Proposed Improvements”
(Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, 2017).

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Managing Plastic Waste in Kabul Policy Brief

The NEPA report additionally reveals that over 4.5 million tons of waste was buried
recently in the neighborhood of Kabul. Annually, a minimum of 13 million tons of waste, largely
composed of plastic, is thrown into the water9. The matter to be worried about is the impact of
waste on the environment. If proper plans for waste management are not implemented
immediately, burying garbage will cause a frightening result. Within three years there will be no
place left for agriculture or plating trees10. Besides this, throwing trash into the water not only
affects the fish but also the health of the citizens.11

Existing problems

The problem of waste

management in Afghanistan
is not ambiguous. The
country is in the process of
urban growth which also
affects the economy and
consumption. An increase in
economic activities generates
a huge amount of waste,
especially in the capital. The
overly poor waste
management might transform the Afghan capital to a waste field. The route of the waste to the
city might differ, whereas, the source of the waste is the inhabitants of the city. Below we explore
the major causes of the waste in Kabul.

9
“Kabul Using Seven Tons Of Plastic A Day.”
10
“Kabul Using Seven Tons Of Plastic A Day,” TOLOnews, accessed December 8, 2019, /afghanistan/kabul-using-
seven-tons-plastic-day.
11
“Kabul Using Seven Tons Of Plastic A Day.”

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Managing Plastic Waste in Kabul Policy Brief

Consumption

Primarily due to the continuous refugee return from neighboring countries, there has
been an increase in the overall population of Afghanistan12. As Kabul is the capital and the biggest
city of Afghanistan, most of the people are endeavoring to go to Kabul for better job
opportunities, education or other bureaucratic purposes, which make Kabul the most populated
city in Afghanistan. Based on the statistics of World Population Review “Kabul is the only city in
Afghanistan with a population in excess of a million, and it is now one of the fastest-growing cities
in the world.”13

This demographic growth in Kabul by some means influences the consumption level.
Afghanistan is a developing country, the products in the market to a large extent lack basic
packaging. Therefore, people use plastic as an alternative. Today, the use of plastic has become a
norm in the society. People demand plastic bags even for small goods, for which none are
required. During an interview with local media, a local seller explains the problem of plastic bags
saying, “We have no choice. We must give a plastic bag to our customers whether they buy small
things”14. The plastic bags which the consumers demand are single-use. After the first use, these
plastics are thrown away, which end up becoming a cumulative threat to the environment.

Non-existing proper waste disposal facilities

Waste disposal in Afghanistan has always been a difficult matter. On a daily basis, huge
amounts of garbage are produced which is simply thrown away in the fields or in the corner of
the streets. Municipal workers in Kabul collect the waste every day. However, with extremely
limited tools and small number of workers, it is impossible to remove all the waste that is
produced by millions of residents. Although in some places waste containers are placed, it is not
enough to tackle the problem,15 since most of these containers out of reach of the residents.

12
“Returning Home, Afghans Continue to Face Challenges in Rebuilding Their Lives – UN Agencies.”
13
“Population of Cities in Afghanistan (2019),” accessed December 10, 2019,
http://worldpopulationreview.com/countries/afghanistan-population/cities/.
14
“Kabul Using Seven Tons Of Plastic A Day.”
15
Abdul Wahab Azad, “Solid Waste Management in Kabul City of Afghanistan,” accessed December 11, 2019,
https://www.academia.edu/12919045/Solid_waste_management_in_Kabul_city_of_Afghanistan.

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Managing Plastic Waste in Kabul Policy Brief

Currently, there are three main actors working in waste collecting. First, the municipality,
whose workers only provide service in waste transportation and waste collection from roads and
water canals. Second, some private sectors provide waste collecting services under their own
regulation and fixed tariffs. Lastly, some individuals collect waste on their own, in exchange for
payment.16 For inhabitants, their residential location is important because they can only take
advantage of garbage collection if they live on the route which is easily accessible to waste
collectors. Moreover, all three actors lack a proper mechanism for disposal. Additionally, the ratio
of active waste collectors is by far smaller compared to the residents in the city. Furthermore, on
a daily basis new waste dumps are created in unexpected places in the city, which remains
unnoticed by the collectors.

Dumpsite

One of the biggest problems

Afghanistan has been facing is the method
of disposal. Since Afghanistan does not have
a proper recycling system, the use of
dumpsite and burying is considered the sole
solution. Depending on the location, the
municipality collects the waste from the city
and transfers it to a waste yard to bury the
garbage.17

At present, Kabul city has three main waste yards. First, Dasht-e-Chamtala which is
considered as the main waste yard in Kabul. This dumpsite serves 18 municipalities of the city.
Second, Kompani dumpsite, which functioned until 2003. However, due to its impact on clean

16
Azad.
17
Nawid Royaee, “Solid Waste Management - Kabul. Nawid.R,” accessed December 11, 2019,
https://www.academia.edu/27804490/Solid_Waste_Management_-_Kabul._Nawid.R.

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Managing Plastic Waste in Kabul Policy Brief

water, the site needed to be closed down. And lastly, Gazak Landfill, which is barely used due to
bad road conditions. Thus, most of the waste is taken to Dasht-e-Chamtala and dumped there.18

At the moment dumpsite and burying waste appears to be the most practical solution,
although it is extremely harmful to the environment; “None of the dumpsites are designed to
prevent groundwater contamination or toxic air pollution from burning waste. Many dumpsites
are located upstream of the cities, where heavy rains could wash the wastes back into populated
areas.”19 Additionally, waste yards make agriculture and tree planting impossible, which also
affects air.

Lack of public awareness

Waste is a result of human activities. Without public awareness, the government is not
able to reduce waste. In any of the waste management policies, public awareness is the most
crucial point. Currently, a lack of adequate knowledge concerning waste management can be seen
in the residents of Afghanistan. They do not have accurate information regarding the harm of
plastic and other waste.20 Moreover, Afghanistan is in the
process of developing, it lacks sufficient infrastructure for
waste disposal. However, the citizens do not take
responsibility. The public does not deal with their own waste
in a systematic way. Although they are supposed to collect
the waste in their houses, recycle them and wait until the
municipality vehicle comes for waste collection, they simply
dump the waste into the streets and fields. Instead of
contributing to waste recycling they increase pollution by
creating new dumpsite in the public area.

18
Royaee.
19
Azad, “Solid Waste Management in Kabul City of Afghanistan.”
20
Hameedullah NOORI, “Solid Waste Management in Kabul City: Current Practices and Proposed Improvements”
(Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, 2017).

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Managing Plastic Waste in Kabul Policy Brief

Solutions
Although Afghanistan is not an industrial country, its capital is one of the most polluted
cities in the world. Throughout the entire country, the problem of waste originates from the “lack
of information about the generation, processes, and composition of waste and its
management.”21 At the moment, in Afghanistan, no recycling, incineration, or waste processing
facilities exist. Neither does any law specifically states or encourages recycling.22

At this stage Kabul is suffering from an extreme rate of waste generation, however, it is
not a total disaster yet. The situation of Kabul is curable through a proper waste management
plan. The ultimate goal is to become a zero-waste city. It is obvious that the aim for a zero-waste
city at the current situation might not be a rapid process, however, it is easily feasible through
the following methods.

Public awareness programs

It is not a matter of question that the citizens themselves are responsible for tons of waste
produced every day in Kabul. According to the executive director of Directorate of Sanitation,
“cooperation between the authorities and the public (citizens) is the only way to solve the
problem. People should play their own part in keeping the city clean, otherwise Kabul
Municipality is not in a position to do the activities properly.”23

It is obvious that public awareness is the principal objective.

Solutions The Afghan government must promote public awareness programs
• Public awareness throughout the country. The public needs to be educated about the
• 3Rs
harmful consequences of the waste, especially from plastic, and
• Ban
• Tax should be encouraged to consider the “3Rs” (Reduce, Reuse,
• Pfand
Recycle). The government can do campaigns, educational programs,
TV advertisements, brochures, and billboards. Moreover, some

21
Environment, “Building a Strong Foundation for Responsible Waste Management in Afghanistan.”
22
Royaee, “Solid Waste Management - Kabul. Nawid.R.”
23
Azad, “Solid Waste Management in Kabul City of Afghanistan.”

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Managing Plastic Waste in Kabul Policy Brief

non-governmental organizations and volunteers should also be encouraged to contribute to the

mission of public awareness. The more the citizens are approached and educated the less
pollution will generate.

3Rs

The ideal method to achieve zero

waste should be the 3Rs. This is also
widely called the ‘waste hierarchy’ which
refers to the order of actions to reduce
waste production. 3Rs stands for Reduce,
Reuse and Recycle. As per Missouri
Department of Natural Resources, “The
three R's - reduce, reuse and recycle - all
help to cut down on the amount of waste
we throw away. They conserve natural resources, landfill space and energy.”24

Reduce
The best practical approach to control waste is to avoid its production. If waste cannot be
refused it should be reduced. Afghan citizens should consider reducing waste by avoiding huge
packaging or using disposable plastic material; most importantly plastic bags.

Reuse
It is the second element of the waste hierarchy. Reuse encourages people to use a product
more than one time. It encourages the public to convert to enduring materials. This does not only
reduce waste but also saves money.

24
“Missouri Department of Natural Resources,” accessed December 13, 2019,
https://dnr.mo.gov/env/swmp/rrr/index.html.

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Managing Plastic Waste in Kabul Policy Brief

Recycle
The most important element of the waste hierarchy is recycling. “To recycle something
means that it will be transformed again into a raw material that can be shaped into a new item.”25
Previously all the recyclable material in Afghanistan would be exported to Pakistan. However,
now a few recycling industries have been established for recycling purposes, which also provides
the possibility for numerous families to make their household income.26

Ban on plastic bags

Implementing a ban on plastic appears to be a good solution to resolve the problem of

waste. Hence many cities and countries across the world have imposed the plastic ban policy such
as New Zealand, Bangladesh, Israel, South Africa and many others27. The ban on plastic production
and supply has been successful to a great extent in these countries, however, in the case of
Afghanistan it is not the most practical solution.

In 2011, the government of Afghanistan banned the market for plastic bags. Despite being
warned of the harms of plastic use by the public health ministry, the ban did not last more than
three days. In a response to Pajhwok News, a plastic bag seller claimed that “the bags were openly
sold”28. The plastic distributors were ordered by the municipality to close the shops, but after
three days the market was reopened. Law enforcement has been facing challenges in dealing with
even bigger problems. At the moment, Afghanistan is not in a position to deal with the plastic
ban.

Increase tax on all plastic materials

Implementing tax is one of the most practical solutions. By means of taxes government
obliges levies on the citizens. The levies collected from the tax are chiefly used to raise revenue.

25
“The Three R’s: ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’ Waste Hierarchy,” Conserve Energy Future (blog), September 6, 2014,
https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/name=reduce-reuse-recycle.
26
Azad, “Solid Waste Management in Kabul City of Afghanistan.”
27
Alice Klein, “New Zealand Becomes the Latest Country to Ban Plastic Bags,” New Scientist, accessed December
13, 2019, https://www.newscientist.com/article/2176417-new-zealand-becomes-the-latest-country-to-ban-plastic-
bags/.
28
“Despite Danger Consequences, Plastic Bags Sold Unabated,” accessed December 13, 2019,
https://www.pajhwok.com/en/2016/02/03/despite-danger-consequences-plastic-bags-sold-unabated.

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Managing Plastic Waste in Kabul Policy Brief

It can also be used for other purposes29. Since the tax is not an unfamiliar thing for the Afghan
citizens, thus it is much easier to impose. A high tax on all plastic products will create incentives
among people to avoid using plastic products. This will not only reduce the use of plastic, but it
will also remain enduring, compared to the plastic ban.

Pfand

At least three tons of plastic bottles are

generated every day in Kabul. Even though
these bottles can be recycled and reused, due
to lack of awareness and ignorance they go to
waste. To get rid of these tons of plastic bottles
the pfand system is the most pragmatic
approach.

Pfand is a system in Germany to encourage recycling and avoid waste. In Germany when
a customer purchases a certain bottle product, they also pay an additional amount as a bottle
deposit. When the empty bottle is returned, the customer receives the deposit back. This
persuades people to return the empty bottles to be recycled.30 According to the Guardian, Pfand
system has had an overwhelmingly positive effect on littering”31

Recommendations
There is no doubt that Kabul is the most affected city by the waste in Afghanistan.
Forasmuch as Afghanistan is in the process of rebuilding, a simple ban on plastic does not appear
to be a successful policy, unlike other countries. After analyzing the situation of Afghanistan, a
combination of two policies, tax and pfand, is recommended.

29
“Taxation,” Encyclopedia Britannica, accessed December 13, 2019, https://www.britannica.com/topic/taxation.
30
“The Pfand System: How to Return Bottles in Germany,” accessed December 13, 2019,
https://allaboutberlin.com/guides/pfand-bottles.
31
Philip Oltermann, “Has Germany Hit the Jackpot of Recycling? The Jury’s Still Out,” The Guardian, March 30,
2018, sec. World news, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/30/has-germany-hit-the-jackpot-of-
recycling-the-jurys-still-out.

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Managing Plastic Waste in Kabul Policy Brief

The government of Afghanistan needs to impose a very high tax on all plastic products,
particularly on plastic bags. Tax is a governmental obligation that no citizen can be excused of. If
a high tax on plastic is imposed, the consumers will not be able to afford it. From the market
perspective when price increases, demand automatically decreases. As a result, people will either
avoid purchasing plastic or they will consider reusing. In both cases, the demand for plastic will
decrease. People will voluntarily change to non-plastic and durable products such as cotton bags.

Furthermore, to prevent excessive amounts of plastic bottles, pfand is the best option.
Imposing pfand policy will incentivize the recycling of plastic bottles. Hence, after implementing
pfand, empty bottles will not be seen as waste, but rather as money. In this case, even if the
consumers just throw bottles away some other people will take it to pfand vending machines.
This will not only clean place form used bottles, but it will also become a source of income for
unemployed, and homeless people. Along with the country, thousands of individuals and families
will enjoy the benefits of pfand policy.

Imposing tax & pfand will not only reduce waste, but it will also contribute to the state
revenue. The levies coming from plastic tax can be turned to cure environmental problems. In a
very short period of time, waste production will drastically reduce and eventually it will turn to
zero waste. The problem of dumping and burying will also be solved. This will make tree planting
possible which will transform polluted cities to green cities.

The tax & pfand policy is both realistic and feasible. Becoming zero waste is most
reasonable through this method. Importantly, to Impose this policy the government is not
required to spend a huge amount. The tax on all kind of plastic can be implemented on national
level. Whereas, for pfand policy, it is relevant to first start it in the capital and then slowly extend
it on the national level. Besides tax & pfand, public awareness programs are extremely crucial,
because the public is the one who produces the waste and they are the only ones who can reduce
the waste.

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Managing Plastic Waste in Kabul Policy Brief

Conclusion
Afghanistan has witnessed decades of instability. This extremely vulnerable country is still
in the process of rebuilding. Currently, the state does not have a proper infrastructure for waste
management. Besides, the residents do not consider it their duty to keep the country clean.
Instead of following 3Rs, they additionally produce a massive amount of waste every day which
ends up in the dumpsites.

It is obvious that a simple ban on plastic does not bring about a positive impact. Therefore,
high taxation should be imposed on plastic. In addition, pfand system needs to be introduced to
reduce the waste. If zero waste is the ultimate goal, then focus on public education and awareness
should also be considered an essential element.

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Managing Plastic Waste in Kabul Policy Brief

Reference:
Azad, Abdul Wahab. “Solid Waste Management in Kabul City of Afghanistan,” 2015.
https://www.academia.edu/12919045/Solid_waste_management_in_Kabul_city_of_Afg
hanistan.
“Despite Danger Consequences, Plastic Bags Sold Unabated.” Accessed December 13, 2019.
https://www.pajhwok.com/en/2016/02/03/despite-danger-consequences-plastic-bags-
sold-unabated.
Environment, U. N. “Building a Strong Foundation for Responsible Waste Management in
Afghanistan.” UN Environment, July 4, 2019. http://www.unenvironment.org/news-and-
stories/story/building-strong-foundation-responsible-waste-management-afghanistan.
TOLOnews. “Kabul Using Seven Tons Of Plastic A Day.” Accessed December 8, 2019.
/afghanistan/kabul-using-seven-tons-plastic-day.
Klein, Alice. “New Zealand Becomes the Latest Country to Ban Plastic Bags.” New Scientist.
Accessed December 13, 2019. https://www.newscientist.com/article/2176417-new-
zealand-becomes-the-latest-country-to-ban-plastic-bags/.
“Missouri Department of Natural Resources.” Accessed December 13, 2019.
https://dnr.mo.gov/env/swmp/rrr/index.html.
NOORI, Hameedullah. “Solid Waste Management in Kabul City: Current Practices and Proposed
Improvements.” Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, 2017.
Oltermann, Philip. “Has Germany Hit the Jackpot of Recycling? The Jury’s Still Out.” The Guardian,
March 30, 2018, sec. World news.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/30/has-germany-hit-the-jackpot-of-
recycling-the-jurys-still-out.
“Population of Cities in Afghanistan (2019).” Accessed December 10, 2019.
http://worldpopulationreview.com/countries/afghanistan-population/cities/.
Rasmussen, Sune Engel. “Kabul – the Fifth Fastest Growing City in the World – Is Bursting at the
Seams.” The Guardian, December 11, 2014, sec. Cities.
https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2014/dec/11/kabul-afghanistan-fifth-fastest-
growing-city-world-rapid-urbanisation.
Royaee, Nawid. “Solid Waste Management - Kabul. Nawid.R.” Accessed December 11, 2019.
https://www.academia.edu/27804490/Solid_Waste_Management_-_Kabul._Nawid.R.
Encyclopedia Britannica. “Taxation.” Accessed December 13, 2019.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/taxation.
“The Pfand System: How to Return Bottles in Germany.” Accessed December 13, 2019.
https://allaboutberlin.com/guides/pfand-bottles.

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 Managing Plastic Waste in Kabul Policy Brief

CEOBS. “The Slow Violence of Pollution in Afghanistan,” June 18, 2018. https://ceobs.org/the-
slow-violence-of-pollution-in-afghanistan/.
“World Most Polluted Countries in 2018 - PM2.5 Ranking | AirVisual.” Accessed December 8,
2019. https://www.airvisual.com/world-most-polluted-countries.
TOLOnews. “Kabul Using Seven Tons Of Plastic A Day.” Accessed December 8, 2019.
/afghanistan/kabul-using-seven-tons-plastic-day.
NOORI, Hameedullah. “Solid Waste Management in Kabul City: Current Practices and Proposed
Improvements.” Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, 2017.
Refugees, United Nations High Commissioner for. “Refugees Magazine Issue 108 (Afghanistan :
The Unending Crisis) - The Biggest Caseload in the World.” UNHCR. Accessed December
19, 2019. https://www.unhcr.org/publications/refugeemag/3b680fbfc/refugees-
magazine-issue-108-afghanistan-unending-crisis-biggest-caseload.html.
UN News. “Returning Home, Afghans Continue to Face Challenges in Rebuilding Their Lives – UN
Agencies,” April 12, 2018. https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/04/1007131.

Pictures:

https://www.academia.edu/12919045/Solid_waste_management_in_Kabul_city_of_Afghanista
n
https://ceobs.org/the-slow-violence-of-pollution-in-afghanistan
https://ariananews.af/kabul-municipality-takes-new-measures-for-city-clean-up/
https://hiveminer.com/Tags/afghanistan%2Ctrash
https://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vector/set-of-recycle-garbage-bins-waste-recycling-
vector-11574148

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