A large-scale harbour clean-up drive has been intensified under the “Cleaner Port, Healthier Marine Ecosystem” initiative of Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry aimed at reducing marine pollution and safeguarding coastal biodiversity.
In a statement on Monday, the minister said Karachi Port Trust (KPT) had stepped up cleaning operations across key locations, including East Wharf, West Wharf, oil piers and Boat Basin Jetty, removing more than 58,000 kilogrammes of solid waste from harbour waters in three phases during the first two weeks of May.
According to official data, 58,450 kilogrammes of floating waste mostly plastic and marine debris was collected through 159 boat sorties involving 487 personnel. The recovered waste was shifted to the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board’s disposal facilities in line with environmental protocols.
Junaid Chaudhry said the initiative reflects a broader push towards a blue circular economy, adding that marine waste should be treated as a recoverable resource rather than only a pollutant.
He noted that the fisheries and aquaculture sectors could significantly reduce marine plastic leakage through recycling and upcycling practices, including converting used fishing nets into new products and processing fish waste into fertilisers, feed and bio-products.
He added that integrating waste collection into fishing operations and recycling recovered debris could help turn environmental challenges into economic opportunities for small and medium enterprises engaged in circular economy models.
Junaid Chaudhry said a significant portion of plastic and debris entering the sea originates from urban drainage systems, which continuously carry untreated waste into coastal waters.
He warned that this remains a major contributor to marine pollution and poses serious risks to biodiversity, fisheries, and port operations.
He further said that if the 58,450 kilogrammes of waste collected from Karachi Harbour were properly sorted and channelled into recycling streams, its estimated economic value could range between USD 7,000 and USD 32,000, depending on material composition and market conditions. Using a mid-range estimate of around USD 0.30 per kilogramme, the potential value would be approximately USD 17,535.
He noted that actual returns vary significantly depending on the proportion of recyclable plastics such as PET and HDPE, levels of contamination from seawater, oil or sludge, and processing costs. Market prices for mixed plastic scrap in South Asia typically range between USD 0.10 and USD 0.55 per kilogramme, with higher-quality PET and HDPE fetching better returns.
The minister emphasised that improved waste segregation at source and strengthened port recycling infrastructure are essential to maximising both environmental and economic benefits from such operations.
Reiterating the government’s commitment, he said continued removal of floating waste is critical to protecting marine life, ensuring navigational safety, and maintaining cleaner and more sustainable port environments, while also addressing rising urban marine pollution.
