Poor waste segregation a major cause of Dhaka waterlogging, experts say

Experts have identified the lack of waste segregation at source as a major cause of Dhaka's recurring waterlogging, urging coordinated action by the government, city corporations, the private sector and citizens to establish a zero-waste management system.

They made the call at a national dialogue titled "Zero Waste and Climate Change: Advancing Sustainable and Resilient Bangladesh," organised by the Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO) in collaboration with the Department of Environment (DoE), Dhaka South City Corporation and the environment, forest and climate change ministry in the city yesterday to mark World Environment Day 2026.

Experts said mixed waste from households, markets and commercial establishments, including plastic, polythene, food waste, glass, metal and construction debris, is often dumped together, with much of it ending up in drains, canals and water bodies. The resulting blockages restrict water flow and trigger severe waterlogging during heavy rainfall. 

Masud Iqbal Md Shameem, director (Environment Clearance) at the DoE, said Bangladesh has yet to effectively implement the Waste Management Rules, 2021, mainly because waste is not being segregated at the source.

He said waste management cannot depend solely on city corporations or municipalities, stressing that the private sector must play a bigger role while the Local Government Division should lead a coordinated national effort.

Mohammed Solaiman Haider, director (Planning) at the DoE, said poor waste management is one of the main drivers of Dhaka's environmental problems.

He said mixed waste containing batteries, plastics, organic matter and other materials cannot be recycled efficiently. Citing the waste management systems of the Netherlands and Japan, he said Bangladesh should introduce segregated waste collection and treatment to improve recycling and resource recovery.

Responding to a question, Air Commodore Md Mahabubur Rahman Talukder, chief waste management officer of the city corporation, said sustainable waste management requires active public participation alongside city corporation initiatives.

He said Dhaka South is preparing to launch a three-year source segregation project that will provide separate waste bins, household-level training and awareness programmes. If successful, the initiative will be expanded across the city.

Mahabubur Rahman also said the city corporation has launched a pilot programme in Ward No 9, where field staff will survey households, monitor waste management and water accumulation, assess cleanliness and raise public awareness.

He added that Dhaka South plans to transform the long-standing Matuail Sanitary Landfill into the Dhaka Resource Circulation Park as part of a major overhaul of the capital's waste management system.

Presenting the keynote paper, ESDO Project Lead (Plastics and Zero Waste) Noshin Naila said waste should be treated as a valuable resource capable of generating environmental, social and economic benefits through sustainable management rather than merely a disposal problem.

Former Chief Conservator of Forests Ishtiaque Uddin Ahmad called for stronger collaboration among policymakers, local governments, civil society and citizens to accelerate Bangladesh's transition to a zero-waste system.