DoE and UNIDO lead plastic waste management drive at Sylhet cricket stadium

Department of Environment (DoE), in collaboration with United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and financial support from the Government of Norway, hosted a discussion and activation encampment on plastic waste management at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium during the ongoing BPL T20 cricket match. The event aimed to raise awareness about plastic pollution and promote sustainable waste management practices.

This initiative is part of 60 ongoing cleanup and community engagement programmes conducted nationwide by DoE and UNIDO. Distinguished speakers included Mr. Md. Ferdoush Anwar, Director of the Department of Environment, Sylhet Division, and officials from UNIDO, the Cricketers' Welfare Association, and Sylhet City Corporation.

Mr. S. M. Arafat from UNIDO emphasised the importance of the 3R approach—Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle—warning against single-use plastics, which have limited recycling value and contaminate the environment. Mr. Sattaya Bhattacharya discussed UNIDO's efforts to collaborate with the plastics industry to promote eco-friendly materials and proper waste segregation. Col. (Rtd.) Aklem Abedin highlighted Sylhet's commitment to maintaining a cleaner environment.

Mr. Debobrota Paul urged youth mobilisation to combat non-degradable plastics' harmful effects on public health. Chief Guest Mr. Md. Ferdoush Anwar stressed individual responsibility in tackling pollution. Following the discussion, 35 volunteers participated in a cleanup drive, collecting 35 kilograms of plastic waste.

Mr. Md. Badrul Huda, the event's facilitator, reinforced the need for continued action to prevent plastic waste from entering the environment. The event encouraged the next generation to take action against plastic pollution.