Waste Busters Launches Clean Pakistan Program
Waste Busters Launches Clean Pakistan Program
Waste Busters is one of the largest private waste management companies operating in Pakistan. Ever since it showcased a model of low cost sustainable waste management practice system in Sardinia, Italy in 2013, Waster Busters has started working on sharing its knowledge and experience using a franchise system. The programme is called “Clean Pakistan”, supported by Prime Minister’s Youth Program, and aims to make Pakistan a pollution-free country.
Waste Busters Background
The company started its operations in 1996 and became a market leader in the waste management industry thanks to its door-to-door garbage collection services. Waste Busters sorts and recycles the collected waste and uses it as compost, soil, conditioners, fertilizers, refuse-derived fuel (RDF) and as repurposed furniture.
It has received several awards from World Bank, Asian Development Bank, United Nations and a few other organisations.
The Waste Busters’ concept can generate about 15,000 jobs and give birth to an entire new industry in the country. The concept will employ qualified and eligible Ecopreneurs to implement the programme at the local Union Council level.
Ecopreneurship Loan
Pakistan generates over 50,000 tons of garbage every single day. 40 percent of that is not even collected and it winds up in the streets and open areas.
Through this programme, the ecopreneurs will get up to 20 lacs as loan from the National Bank of Pakistan. The loan will have to be repaid at a discounted interest rate of 6% over a period of 8 years. The repayment will be delayed by a year to provide some time for the businesses to be established.
Registering for the program requires a non-refundable registration fee of Rs. 5000. For a government-mandated program that’s aimed to uplift poverty-stricken communities, this move seems mind-boggling at best.
The individuals, who get selected, will be trained and supported by Waste Burners to establish their business franchise. The amount received in loan would have to be used in initial capital investment, which includes hiring employees, buying vehicles, tools, gear and personnel training expenses. Loan repayment and income from profit is estimated to be as high as Rs. 100,000 for the ecopreneurs.
How to Apply
To apply for the programme, the individual has to be:
- between 21 and 45 years of age,
- have a minimum education level equivalent to matriculation,
- possess a valid CNIC.
A registration fee (non-refundable) of Rs. 5,000 will be charged for every application. You can find the application form here. The last date to apply is 15th of April 2016.
It is hoped that the government bears the costs of registration for the deserving, and enhances participation for the Clean Pakistan initiative.
For a government-affiliated program, the inclusion of a non-refundable fee is puzzling. It is hoped that the registration fee is lowered (even waived) so that many more aspiring environmental entrepreneurs can take advantage of it.
Image Source: CleanPakistan
Sarmad Gardezi
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