LafargeHolcim, Sylhet City Corporation discuss roadmap to tackle plastic pollution

LafargeHolcim Bangladesh PLC and Sylhet City Corporation jointly organised a seminar today to discuss a roadmap to make Sylhet free from plastic pollution through sustainable waste management, modern infrastructure, and community participation.

The seminar, titled "A Roadmap to Become a Plastic Pollution Free City", was held at the Rose View Hotel in Sylhet on 28 September, 2026 to mark Geocycle Week 2026. According to the press release, it brought together government officials, environmentalists, academics, media representatives, and youth leaders to develop an actionable strategy for sustainable urban waste management.

Key discussants included Sylhet City Corporation Administrator Abdul Quiyum Choudhury; LafargeHolcim Bangladesh CEO Mohammad Iqbal Chowdhury; Sylhet City Corporation CEO Muhammad Razaie Rafin Sarkar; entrepreneur Shama Haque Chowdhury; Md Abul Kalam Azad, director of the Department of Environment in Sylhet; and Shipon Chowdhury, DIG of DIFE Sylhet.

The seminar began with an audiovisual presentation on Geocycle, the waste management wing of LafargeHolcim Bangladesh. Mohammad Eklim Abdeen, a retired lieutenant colonel and chief waste management officer of Sylhet City Corporation, and Latifur Rahman, head of Geocycle, followed with presentations.

Discussions focused on progress at the material recovery facility at Lalmatia Dumping Ground, jointly established by LafargeHolcim Bangladesh and Sylhet City Corporation in 2024. The organisers described it as the country's first state-of-the-art municipal waste and plastic segregation plant.

The facility plays a central role in Sylhet's circular economy strategy by continuously sorting and diverting non-biodegradable plastics away from local landfills and waterways. The facility sends the recovered plastics directly to Geocycle for safe co-processing.

Building on the facility's operations, LafargeHolcim Bangladesh and Sylhet City Corporation outlined plans for a bio-drying project. The technology will pre-treat municipal solid waste and reduce its moisture content to enable more effective segregation of plastic waste.

Emphasising the city corporation's commitment to urban sustainability, Quiyum said, "To transform Sylhet into a clean and green city, local government initiatives must align with strong community engagement and regulatory frameworks. Our vision is to build a plastic pollution-free city through strategic partnerships, modern infrastructure, and continuous public awareness."

Reaffirming the private sector's role in circular economy solutions, Iqbal said, "At LafargeHolcim, we are deeply committed to driving sustainable growth and lowering carbon emissions across Bangladesh through Geocycle, our waste management wing. Partnering with Sylhet City Corporation allows us to deploy safe co-processing capabilities that divert plastic waste from landfills and rivers, contributing directly to a cleaner environment and a better tomorrow."

Highlighting the city corporation's operational strategy, Razaie said, "Effective municipal solid waste management requires sustainable, long-term solutions tailored to our growing urban footprint. By collaborating with industry pioneers and leveraging modern waste management practices, Sylhet City Corporation is taking decisive steps to eliminate plastic waste from our streets and waterways."

LafargeHolcim Bangladesh said it continues to offer safe, environmentally friendly co-processing solutions through Geocycle to reduce environmental impact and support zero-waste initiatives nationwide.

The seminar concluded with a joint pledge by municipal authorities and corporate representatives to accelerate circular economy practices across the region.