Central to CoRe’s proposals is a request for a five-year tax exemption for Packaging Recovery Organizations, a zero-tariff regime on recycling equipment and Reverse Vending Machines, and GST exemptions on services related to waste sorting, collection, and recycling. The Alliance is also advocating for financial incentives or tax rebates for companies that meet recycling targets or use recycled materials in manufacturing. To support innovation in waste conversion, particularly plastic-to-fuel technologies, CoRe has called on the State Bank of Pakistan to extend dedicated financing mechanisms. These interventions aim to integrate the informal waste sector into formal structures, drive investment, and unlock the full potential of Pakistan’s circular economy.

The urgency of these measures is underscored by alarming projections. The Asian Development Bank warns that Pakistan’s solid waste output may rise to 42 million tons annually by 2030—posing serious environmental and infrastructure challenges.

Sheikh Waqar Ahmad, CEO and Founding Board Member of CoRe, emphasized, “CoRe’s recommendations are intended to support the government’s broader sustainability agenda, which has advanced under a possible arrangement under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility as part of the Staff Level Agreement with the IMF.”

He further added, “The budget 2025–26 is a key opportunity to introduce policies supporting waste management and these measures will drive economic growth through sustainable investments and a waste-free future.”

Hammad Naqi Khan, CEO WWF-Pakistan and Board Member CoRe, noted, “Incentivizing collection and recycling promotes circularity and is key to tackling Pakistan’s waste challenges.”

Babar Aziz Bhatti, CEO Green Earth Recycling and Chairperson of CoRe’s Extended Producer Responsibility Committee, stated, “Investing in collection and recycling infrastructure is key to reducing waste, generating green jobs, and driving sustainable development in Pakistan.”

The proposals were submitted to Federal Ministers Muhammad Aurangzeb (Finance & Revenue) and Musadik Masood Malik (Climate Change & Environmental Coordination), reiterating the role of fiscal policy and private-sector partnerships in environmental progress.

Earlier this year, CoRe convened a multinational stakeholder dialogue that resulted in broad agreement on the need for harmonized environmental regulations across provinces to improve recycling and waste collection.

CoRe remains committed to building a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable recycling ecosystem in Pakistan in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals—especially SDG 12, SDG 13, and SDG 17.

About CoRe Alliance
Members include Circular Plastics Institute (CPI), Coca-Cola, Ecolean, English Biscuit Manufacturers, Engro Polymer & Chemicals, Five Star Polymers, FrieslandCampina, Green Earth Recycling, Jazz, Lucky Core Industries, METRO, Mondelēz Pakistan, National Foods, Nestlé Pakistan, Novatex, Packages Limited, PARCO, PepsiCo, SDPI, SPEL, Tetra Pak, Parco Gunvor, Unilever, UNDP, and WWF-Pakistan.

Islamabad- As Pakistan readies its Federal Budget for 2025–26, CoRe Alliance has put forward a comprehensive set of proposals to accelerate the shift to a circular economy. Backed by leading private and development sector organizations, CoRe has recommended policy measures to strengthen recycling infrastructure, stimulate green jobs, and address Pakistan’s mounting waste challenges.

Central to CoRe’s proposals is a request for a five-year tax exemption for Packaging Recovery Organizations, a zero-tariff regime on recycling equipment and Reverse Vending Machines, and GST exemptions on services related to waste sorting, collection, and recycling. The Alliance is also advocating for financial incentives or tax rebates for companies that meet recycling targets or use recycled materials in manufacturing. To support innovation in waste conversion, particularly plastic-to-fuel technologies, CoRe has called on the State Bank of Pakistan to extend dedicated financing mechanisms. These interventions aim to integrate the informal waste sector into formal structures, drive investment, and unlock the full potential of Pakistan’s circular economy.

The urgency of these measures is underscored by alarming projections. The Asian Development Bank warns that Pakistan’s solid waste output may rise to 42 million tons annually by 2030—posing serious environmental and infrastructure challenges.

Sheikh Waqar Ahmad, CEO and Founding Board Member of CoRe, emphasized, “CoRe’s recommendations are intended to support the government’s broader sustainability agenda, which has advanced under a possible arrangement under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility as part of the Staff Level Agreement with the IMF.”

He further added, “The budget 2025–26 is a key opportunity to introduce policies supporting waste management and these measures will drive economic growth through sustainable investments and a waste-free future.”

Hammad Naqi Khan, CEO WWF-Pakistan and Board Member CoRe, noted, “Incentivizing collection and recycling promotes circularity and is key to tackling Pakistan’s waste challenges.”

Babar Aziz Bhatti, CEO Green Earth Recycling and Chairperson of CoRe’s Extended Producer Responsibility Committee, stated, “Investing in collection and recycling infrastructure is key to reducing waste, generating green jobs, and driving sustainable development in Pakistan.”

The proposals were submitted to Federal Ministers Muhammad Aurangzeb (Finance & Revenue) and Musadik Masood Malik (Climate Change & Environmental Coordination), reiterating the role of fiscal policy and private-sector partnerships in environmental progress.

Earlier this year, CoRe convened a multinational stakeholder dialogue that resulted in broad agreement on the need for harmonized environmental regulations across provinces to improve recycling and waste collection.

CoRe remains committed to building a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable recycling ecosystem in Pakistan in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals—especially SDG 12, SDG 13, and SDG 17.

About CoRe Alliance
Members include Circular Plastics Institute (CPI), Coca-Cola, Ecolean, English Biscuit Manufacturers, Engro Polymer & Chemicals, Five Star Polymers, FrieslandCampina, Green Earth Recycling, Jazz, Lucky Core Industries, METRO, Mondelēz Pakistan, National Foods, Nestlé Pakistan, Novatex, Packages Limited, PARCO, PepsiCo, SDPI, SPEL, Tetra Pak, Parco Gunvor, Unilever, UNDP, and WWF-Pakistan.

Report By: News Desk