Bangladesh must act now on waste segregation, methane mitigation: Rizwana 

Bangladesh must urgently reform its waste management system to address environmental challenges and reduce methane emissions, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Syeda Rizwana Hasan said today (24 March).

Large-scale segregation remains absent due to the country's inefficient waste management practices, despite pilot initiatives, the adviser highlighted at an online consultation workshop on Revisiting Bangladesh's NDC 2021: Integrating Decentralised Waste Management and Methane Mitigation Strategies, organised by the Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO).

"We have not been managing our waste very efficiently. It is hardly structured. While there are some pilot projects, at the national level, we do not practice segregation," she said.

She announced plans to collaborate with city corporations and local government agencies to initiate waste segregation programs in identified areas. 

"On this World Environment Day, I plan to work with local authorities to launch a segregation program. Our major urban landfills are designated, but they are neither environmentally certified nor well-managed. This is a serious concern," she said.

The adviser warned that unregulated waste disposal, particularly outside the capital, has led to environmental degradation. 

She recounted a recent discussion with a local government agency, urging them to stop waste dumping near a national park. 

"This shows how bad the situation is. It is high time we focused on fundamental waste management reforms," she said.

Addressing the risks posed by landfill fires, she acknowledged the growing interest in waste-to-energy projects but cautioned against over-reliance on incineration. 

"Our waste has high moisture content, making incineration less feasible. We need site-specific solutions to address landfill issues like those in Amin Bazar and Matuail," she said.

She reaffirmed Bangladesh's commitment to integrating waste management into its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to reduce emissions. 

"Segregation is key, and we must resist quick-fix solutions that appear magical but are not sustainable," she added.

Climate Expert Professor Dr Ainun Nishat, Director General of the Department of Environment Dr Kamruzzaman, ESDO President Syed Marghub Murshed,  ESDO CEO and Executive Director Siddika Sultana also attended the occasion among others.

The workshop brought together policymakers, experts, and stakeholders to explore practical strategies for decentralised waste management and methane mitigation in Bangladesh.