With annual waste generation of more than 16 million tons and over 60 million tons of construction waste, Iran is said to be among the top 10 consumers of plastic in the world with more than 10 million tons of plastic being used in the country's packaging industry every year.
Waste collection costs the country some 370 trillion rials (nearly $8.8 billion) alone, excluding the damage it inflicts on the environment and public health.