From Trash to Cash: Punjab Pays People for Their Garbage

A new government program in Pakistan's Punjab province is turning household trash into direct payments for residents. The initiative aims to tackle severe pollution and generate useful materials. The "Cash for Garbage" project asks people to separate dry recyclables from their waste. Citizens then bring items like plastic, paper, and metal to designated collection points. Workers weigh the materials and immediately pay the individual based on fixed rates. Officials say the project fights two problems. First, it reduces the massive amount of unmanaged waste that clogs streets and waterways. Second, it supplies raw materials to local industries, creating a circular economy. The program launched in major cities like Lahore and Gujranwala. If successful, authorities plan to expand it across the province. The model offers a simple incentive: a cleaner environment and extra income directly from everyday garbage.