Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan has declared Faisalabad Pakistan’s first textile circular city, marking a new step in efforts to reduce industrial waste, promote recycling and support the country’s textile exports.
The announcement was made during a meeting at the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) on 19 October, according to the Associated Press of Pakistan.
The initiative had begun earlier in March, when the divisional administration, industry representatives and universities started working together to develop Faisalabad into a circular economy city.
A circular economy aims to reduce waste by reusing materials, recycling products and making better use of resources instead of throwing them away.
In March, Faisalabad Commissioner Raja Jahangir Anwar announced the formation of a working group to develop the city’s circular economy model.
The group brought together representatives from the administration, industry and academia, with plans to make better use of industrial and agricultural waste, create employment opportunities and increase exports
The governor’s October announcement has given further backing to the initiative, although practical measures are still needed to turn the plan into a fully functioning circular economy system.
Faisalabad is one of Pakistan’s major textile and industrial centres, and the initiative is expected to focus particularly on recycling textile waste and reducing pollution.
FCCI President Arif Ehsan Malik said more than 100 units in the city were already involved in recycling and reusing textile waste. He called for these businesses to be better organised and brought into line with international environmental standards.
Malik also proposed a pilot project in a selected industrial cluster to treat industrial wastewater so that it could be reused.
The measures could help manufacturers respond to environmental requirements in export markets, including the European Union, while reducing waste and creating opportunities for businesses involved in recycling.
