Youth mobilised to combat plastic waste to save canals

In a significant effort to address the escalating threat of plastic and polythene waste to the global environment, a school campaign titled "Save Canals, Save City" was launched yesterday (20 November) near the Kalayanpur Canal at Nabadiganta Adarsha High School in Dhaka.

Organised by RedOrange Communications and OceanBound under the "PLEASE" project, the initiative aims to raise awareness about environmental conservation and the urgent need to reduce the harmful effects of plastic waste, reads a press release.

It stated that the alarming rate of plastic consumption in Dhaka, currently at 24 kilograms per capita annually, is projected to rise to 34 kilograms by 2030. 

"This surge poses severe risks to both public health and the environment, particularly as plastic waste clogs drains, sewers, and canals, leading to waterlogging and seasonal flooding. The situation is especially dire for the approximately 1.5 million residents of the Kalyanpur area, who face significant hardships each year due to rain-induced flooding," said the release.

The event was inaugurated by Muhammad Enamul Hoq, founding headmaster of Nabadiganta Adarsha High School, and attended by notable guests including Sohag Mia, Sub-Assistant Engineer and representative of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), and Mr. Md. Obidul Islam, Special Representative of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and Project Manager of the PLEASE Project. 

RedOrange Communications Director, Mr. Alok Kumar Majumder, along with his team, also participated in the campaign.

During the campaign, students were educated about the detrimental effects of plastic waste on the environment. 

Engaging educational materials, including coloring books and crayons, were distributed, illustrating the negative impacts of plastic pollution and promoting proper waste disposal practices. The initiative aims to instill eco-friendly habits in students in a fun and interactive manner, fostering a generation committed to environmental stewardship.

The campaign underscores controlling waterlogging and flooding in Dhaka will require not only strict enforcement of laws but also a positive shift in citizens' behaviors towards waste management.

It said the collaborative efforts of organisations and the active participation of the youth are crucial in tackling this pressing environmental challenge.