Punjab Plans New Waste-to-Energy Policy Under ‘Suthra Punjab’ Initiative
The Punjab government is preparing a new policy aimed at converting municipal waste into energy and other commercially usable products under its expanding “Suthra Punjab” programme.
Officials said the initiative is being designed to encourage private-sector investment in green energy projects, including waste-to-energy plants, biogas production, and recycling facilities across the province.
Under the proposed framework, government land may be leased to private companies to support environmentally sustainable projects focused on modern waste management solutions.
The plan aims to reduce environmental pollution while also generating renewable energy and economic value from municipal waste.
Authorities said the new policy will help shift Punjab’s waste management system away from traditional collection and dumping methods, which have contributed to landfill overflow, methane emissions, and urban pollution.
Government sources confirmed that regulatory guidelines and leasing conditions are currently being finalized to ensure transparency and environmental compliance.
The initiative is part of the broader “Waste to Value” strategy under the Suthra Punjab programme launched by the provincial government.
Officials said pilot projects, including a bio-CNG facility at the Lakhodair landfill site in Lahore, are already in operation and producing energy from waste on a limited scale.
They added that the output is expected to increase as technology and methane capture processes are further improved.
The government believes the project will create a circular economy model that not only reduces waste but also generates sustainable energy and long-term economic benefits.
