Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) on Monday claimed to have seized hazardous waste in huge quantity which was illegally stored in a warehouse in Site area of Sukkur city.
SEPA officials said, the SEPA team raided the warehouse and found huge amount of hazardous waste including hospitals' infectious waste, electronic waste, pesticide waste and used footwear products which were illegally stored in an open-sky warehouse.
Hospitals' infectious wastes included used syringes, glucose bottles, sharps, surgery equipment, plastic bottles, refuse of dialysis machines etc. which was reportedly to be used for recycling to eventually manufacture low-cost plastic and other items including feeders for sale to poor communities.
They said electronic waste found in the heaps was of parts and wholes of used computers, printers, laptops, cellular phones and their accessories which are quite harmful for natural environment.
The pesticide waste found in the stockpiles of waste is also very harmful for the fertility of soil and must be scientifically disposed of by neutralising its hazardous effects.
The used leathers products which were found in huge quantity were reportedly to be supplied as fuel to illegal batteries and brick kilns and is treated as most polluting fuel and its burning is strictly prohibited in the province.
Under Section 12 and 13 of Sindh Environmental Protection Act 2014 the handling, import and unsafe storage and transportation of all types of hazardous waste is strictly prohibited and is a punishable offence.
The team of SEPA with the help of local police has taken into its custody the entire waste in the warehouse by recording its inventory. Necessary legal action will also be initiated against those who illegally stored the hazardous waste.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2019
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