Landfills and Waste Crisis in the KRI: A Growing Threat to People and the Environment
The Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) is facing a serious environmental challenge: the continuous increase in waste generation with no effective scientific system to manage it. Every day, the people and local authorities in the region struggle with mountains of garbage that are often buried, burnt, or left unattended in open areas. This problem is especially severe in Sulaimany city and its surrounding districts.
Statistics show that the whole Kurdistan Region produces between 6,000 and 7,000 tons of waste every day. This includes household waste, plastics, food scraps, and other materials that come from growing urban populations and expanding consumption habits. In Sulaimany alone, data from a few years ago indicated that nearly 1,850 tons of solid waste were collected each day.
Despite these high volumes, the system to manage, collect, and dispose of waste remains weak. In many parts of Sulaimany city, garbage trucks collect garbage only after long delays, and large amounts of trash are left on streets, public spaces, and near rivers. In 2022, it was reported that municipality services could collect only about 30% of the trash on the streets, mainly due to limited trucks, staff shortages, and strikes by private cleaning companies.
One of the most concerning issues is the lack of scientific landfill management. Most waste is disposed of in open dumping sites that do not follow environmental standards. These landfills are often close to communities and water sources, increasing the risk of soil and water contamination. According to local planning documents, the main landfill near Sulaimany (Tanjaro) is nearly full and not controlled in a way that protects public health.
Another serious concern is medical waste. Due to fuel shortages and lack of operational incinerators, hospitals in Sulaimany have mixed medical waste with regular trash. This practice spreads infections and hazardous materials into the environment, posing direct risks to sanitation workers and residents alike.
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has recognized the waste problem and has taken some steps to improve waste management. The Ministry of Municipality and Tourism is spending significant funds on collecting, transporting, and covering waste, and new contracts for waste collection services have been signed in many municipalities. There are also efforts to build recycling projects and waste-to-energy facilities, and new recycling plants are being planned across the region.
However, these plans are still not enough. Recycling infrastructure is limited, awareness about separating waste at source is low, and many scientific waste treatment solutions remain only proposals. The government still lacks the capacity, long-term planning, and strong enforcement needed to change the current system and protect public and environmental health.
At the same time, civil society groups and local communities are stepping in. People are being urged to recycle plastic and paper, reduce waste, and help keep their neighborhoods clean. But without strong support and leadership from the government and private sector, these efforts cannot solve the crisis alone.
One important part of the solution is engaging NGOs like the IRO Organization. IRO recognizes that waste management is a critical area for intervention. The organization works to raise awareness, support community engagement, and promote sustainable waste practices that protect health and the environment. By partnering with local government, communities, and other NGOs, IRO aims to improve waste collection systems, support recycling initiatives, and advocate for safer, scientifically managed landfills.