The Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB) has announced the launch of its first biogas plant, designed to convert organic waste into low-cost cooking fuel for underserved communities.
The facility, located at Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim, will begin supplying biogas from December 15, offering a practical solution to gas shortages faced by Clifton’s low-income households.
This was revealed by SSWMB Managing Director Tariq Ali Nizamani during a seminar on sustainable waste management organised by the FPCCI Standing Committee on SDGs and the National Forum for Environment & Health (NFEH) at the Federation House.
The biogas plant will process seven tonnes of livestock waste daily, producing enough fuel for 70 to 80 nearby households. Families will receive the biogas at a subsidised rate of Rs2,000 per month, significantly reducing their kitchen fuel expenses amid ongoing nationwide gas shortages and rising LPG prices.
Nizamani noted that the initiative demonstrates how Karachi’s organic waste -- often dumped untreated into the sea -- can instead be transformed into a reliable, economical energy source. In its next phase, the plant will also generate electricity to help resolve lighting issues at the historic Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim park.
SSWMB also plans to establish another biogas facility at Karachi’s Cattle Colony to further expand green energy production and reduce marine and environmental pollution.
Karachi generates over 14,800 tonnes of waste daily, with 42% consisting of organic matter suitable for biogas or compost. By diverting this waste from landfills and waterways, the city can reduce emissions, curb sea contamination, and promote a circular economy.
