DOE, UNIDO promote plastic waste segregation

A community awareness campaign on household-level waste segregation and responsible plastic waste management was held in Narayanganj on 18 May 2026, marking International Plastic-Free Day 2026.

The "Source Segregation Practices" campaign was held on Hospital Road in Ward No 12, Khanpur, under the Department of Environment project titled "Integrated Approach Towards Sustainable Plastics Use and Marine Litter Prevention in Bangladesh". The project is being implemented with technical assistance from the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation and support from the Government of Norway, according to a press release.

The programme included a discussion session and an awareness rally promoting household-level waste segregation and responsible plastic waste management. More than 300 people attended the event, with women making up nearly 80% of participants. Children and local community members also joined the programme.

Muhammad Sulaiman Haider, Director, Department of Environment, Dhaka, attended the event as the chief guest.

Special guests included Sattya Bhattacharjee, National Project Coordinator, UNIDO Bangladesh; AHM Rashed, Deputy Director, Department of Environment, Narayanganj; Shahidul Islam Siam, UNIDO Bangladesh; former Councillor of Ward No 12 Shawkat Hashem Shaku; Ward Secretary Md Sayem Hossain; BD Clean Narsingdi Coordinator Bijoy; and BD Clean Narayanganj Coordinator Kamruzzaman Rana.

In his welcome remarks, AHM Rashed thanked stakeholders and community members for their participation and emphasised the need for collective action to address plastic pollution.

He highlighted the environmental impact of unmanaged plastic waste in Narayanganj and stressed the importance of household-level waste segregation to support cleaner urban environments and better waste management practices.

Speaking at the event, Sattya Bhattacharjee said UNIDO and the Department of Environment were jointly working to strengthen sustainable plastic waste management systems and promote behavioural change at the community level.

He said source segregation was important for reducing plastic leakage into the environment and supporting long-term recycling efforts.

He further said UNIDO had been working with industries to encourage more resource-efficient and sustainable production practices, while also supporting recycling and waste management infrastructure.

He urged residents to take part in segregation practices and highlighted the potential of linking communities with recycling networks to support environmental protection and local economic opportunities.

Addressing the event as the chief guest, Muhammad Sulaiman Haider highlighted the environmental and public health risks caused by improper disposal and mismanagement of plastic waste.

He said plastic pollution contributes to drainage blockage, waterlogging and environmental contamination, while also increasing risks linked to microplastic exposure.

He urged residents to adopt responsible waste disposal and segregation practices at the household level, saying such actions were essential to protect rivers, canals, drainage systems and surrounding communities from plastic pollution.

After the discussion, participants took a pledge to promote sustainable plastic use and environmentally responsible waste management practices. The chief guest, special guests and invited guests also signed a commemorative board as a symbolic commitment to sustainable plastic use.

As part of the initiative, dedicated plastic waste bins were distributed among participating households to encourage source-level waste segregation.

A colourful awareness rally was later organised with the participation of community members, volunteers and stakeholders to mark International Plastic-Free Day 2026.

Under the campaign, BD Clean volunteers have been conducting door-to-door awareness and implementation activities in Khanpur since 18 May 2026 to promote household-level segregation of plastic and non-plastic waste.

The campaign will continue until 21 May 2026.