About this project
Plastic pollution is an escalating crisis, with over 400 million metric tons produced globally each year, yet only 9% is recycled (UNEP, 2023). In Pakistan, nearly 2 million metric tons of plastic waste are generated annually, with a staggering 86% mismanaged, placing the country among the top ten plastic polluters in the world (WWF-Pakistan, 2025). Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan, generates approximately 1,500 metric tons of waste daily, with less than 10% recycled (Shafi Muhammad et al., 2024). This mismanagement contributes to urban flooding and poses serious threats to public health and local ecosystems.
To combat this pressing issue, the "Green Wheels: Youth Plastic Rescue" project aims to establish a structured, youth-led waste segregation and collection system in Quetta. Building on a successful awareness campaign with the Pakistan Red Crescent Society, which engaged schools and communities in plastic pollution awareness, this initiative will transition from awareness to actionable change.
The project will install forty color-coded waste segregation bins—White for non-recyclables, Yellow for clean recyclables, and Red for hazardous plastics—across five schools, three public parks, and two laboratory facilities. Collection will be managed by ten pedal-powered tricycles operated by trained informal waste collectors, who will transport the sorted plastics to certified recyclers, thus ensuring proper disposal and recycling.
Over 120 students, teachers, and lab staff will be trained as “Waste Champions,” with at least 50% female participation, empowering them to promote segregation and recycling practices within their communities. Additionally, ten informal waste collectors will receive safety gear and operational training, creating livelihood opportunities while enhancing waste management efforts. The initiative aims to divert at least three tonnes of plastic waste annually from landfills and waterways.
The project will be implemented over an eight-month period, divided into four key phases:
Awareness and Training (Months 1–2): Conduct targeted awareness sessions in schools, parks, and labs, along with baseline surveys to assess existing knowledge and practices. Training will also be provided for selected youth leaders.
Infrastructure Setup (Months 3–4): Install the segregation bins and deploy the pedal-powered tricycles while establishing partnerships with recycling enterprises.
Capacity Building and Monitoring (Months 5–6): Intensive training sessions for students, teachers, lab staff, and informal waste collectors will be conducted. Youth leaders will monitor bin usage and coordinate collection routes.
Evaluation and Reporting (Months 7–8): Endline surveys will measure knowledge and behavior changes, and a final project report will be prepared to summarize outcomes and sustainability plans.
Sustainability will be ensured through the establishment of school and park management committees responsible for maintenance and ongoing activities, along with partnerships with recycling enterprises for efficient waste processing. The model is designed to be replicable and scalable, allowing for implementation in other urban centers facing similar challenges.
By fostering youth leadership, promoting environmental stewardship, and creating practical infrastructure, "Green Wheels: Youth Plastic Rescue" directly supports Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 11, 12, 13, and 15. This initiative offers a community-driven response to Quetta’s plastic waste challenge, aiming to create lasting behavioral change and improve public health and environmental resilience.
Goals and Objectives
Primary Goal:
To reduce plastic pollution in Quetta by establishing a sustainable, youth-led waste segregation and collection system that encourages environmental stewardship and supports livelihoods.
Objectives:
1. Install Infrastructure: Set up 40 color-coded segregation bins in targeted locations (schools, parks, laboratories) to facilitate effective waste sorting.
2. Deploy Collection System: Utilize ten pedal-powered tricycles operated by trained informal waste collectors for efficient waste collection.
3. Engage Youth as Waste Champions: Train over 120 students, teachers, and lab staff (with at least 50% female participation) to lead waste segregation and awareness initiatives.
4. Empower Informal Waste Collectors: Provide ten informal waste collectors with training, safety gear, and formal integration into the waste management system to enhance their working conditions and income.
5. Divert Waste: Aim to divert at least three tonnes of plastic waste annually from landfills through effective segregation and recycling practices.
Intended Beneficiaries
The primary beneficiaries include students, teachers, park visitors, laboratory personnel, and informal waste collectors. These groups were chosen due to their direct involvement in waste generation and management. Engaging youth fosters long-term behavioral change, while formalizing informal waste collectors creates safer and more stable livelihoods.
Sustainability and Replication
To ensure sustainability, school and park management committees will oversee bin maintenance and ongoing activities. Partnerships with recycling enterprises will facilitate continuous waste processing, and partial cost recovery from recyclables will support maintenance. The model is designed to be replicable and scalable in other urban centers facing similar plastic pollution challenges, enhancing its potential for broader impact and community engagement.
Expected result
1) Installation of Waste Segregation Infrastructure:
Forty (40) color-coded segregation bins (White, Yellow, and Red) will be installed in 5 schools, 3 public parks, and 2 laboratory facilities within the first four months.
2) Operational Eco-Friendly Collection System:
Ten pedal-powered tricycles will be fully operational by month 4, managed by 10 trained informal waste collectors.
3) Youth Engagement and Capacity Building:
At least 120 students, teachers, and laboratory staff will be trained and certified as “Waste Champions” by month 6, with at least 50% female participation. These champions will lead awareness campaigns, peer education, and waste segregation monitoring in their respective institutions.
4) Empowerment of Informal Waste Collectors:
Ten informal waste collectors will receive safety equipment, formal training, and assigned collection routes by month 4. This intervention will improve their working conditions, increase income security, and integrate them into a formal waste management system.
5) Plastic Waste Diversion:
Approximately 3 tonnes of plastic waste will be diverted from landfills and waterways during the 8-month project through effective segregation, collection, and recycling. Progress will be monitored monthly through collection and recycling records.
6) Behavioral Change in Waste Practices:
Baseline and endline surveys will document measurable improvements in knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding plastic use and segregation among youth and community members, aiming for at least a 30% positive change by project end.
7) Sustainability and Replication:
School and park management committees will be trained to maintain bins and supervise ongoing activities. Partial cost recovery from recyclable sales will support maintenance. Documentation of the model will enable replication in other neighborhoods post-project.
About me / organisation
Dr. Saadia Saeed
Dr. Saadia Saeed is a public health professional and community leader passionate about youth empowerment, environmental sustainability, and social welfare. With over four years of experience in health, nutrition, education, and awareness campaigns, she has led initiatives on plastic pollution prevention, free medical camps, first aid training, educational support for underprivileged children, and rehabilitation awareness, including autism. She believes in inspiring change through action, creativity, and meaningful community engagement.