PESHAWAR: The KP government has formally approved a proposal to convert municipal waste into fuel under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework. The Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) produced from waste would be used as an alternative to coal in the cement industry. Under the project, material recovery and processing facilities and other required infrastructure will be established at the Shamshatoo landfill site in Peshawar. The proposal has been presented to Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sohail Afridi, who has agreed with the proposal and directed that the unsolicited proposal submitted by a private company be floated in the market to ensure transparency and competitive process. The chief minister has said that the conversion of waste-to-energy initiative would lay the foundation for a modern and sustainable waste management system in Peshawar. He added that the project would help reduce reliance on imported coal for cement industry, save foreign exchange, and create employment opportunities for the people. “This initiative will not only benefit the environment but also contribute positively to the economy,” he said, adding that additional economic gains could be achieved through carbon credits and its industrial utilisation. The project would help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote environmentally friendly waste management practices, and decrease waste accumulation at landfill sites, leading to overall environmental improvement. Following its successful implementation in Peshawar, the project would be expanded to other divisional headquarters across the province. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026