One day vs 364: How we trivialise environmentalism

Every year, come 5 June, organisations in Bangladesh suddenly discover their love for the planet. CEOs hold saplings. Employees gather for a quick photo op. Someone, somewhere, says, "Let's make the world greener." 

Then they head back into air-conditioned boardrooms, clean their faces with a bundle of soft, perfumed tissue papers, throw away their plastic water bottles in bins lined with plastic bags, and promptly forget the environment until next June.

Unfortunately, World Environment Day has become our version of "plant and pretend." Plant a tree, post a picture, feel good, and move on. In many corners of corporate Bangladesh, what started as a global movement to raise awareness on pressing environmental issues has been reduced to an annual PR exercise.

And herein lies the problem: we've oversimplified environmentalism to a single symbolic act.

There's nothing wrong with planting trees. Trees are great, and we need more of them. But the problem isn't the planting—it's the mindset that this is enough—our tendency to equate responsibility with ritual.

Ask around, and many people will genuinely believe they've "done their part" because they planted a tree. Never mind that they printed 300 unnecessary documents last week or that their office runs 13 air conditioners at full blast during off-hours.

We've come to treat the environment as a once-a-year obligation, not a daily responsibility.

While we're busy scheduling tree-planting ceremonies, Bangladesh continues to battle some of the most pressing environmental issues: Dhaka's air quality remains among the worst in the world, single-use plastics pile up like modern-day monuments, and water bodies choke on untreated waste. These are not distant problems; they are happening right in our backyard, demanding immediate attention.

Yet these issues rarely find space in our workplace conversations, let alone our sustainability plans. Why? Because planting a tree is easy. Rethinking how we consume energy, manage waste, or design our workspaces is not.

Let's talk about where we spend most of our waking hours: the office. How many Bangladeshi workplaces are truly environment-ready?

Most offices are still heavily paper-dependent. Plastic cups and bottles dominate pantries. Lights and electronics hum along, even after everyone's gone home. Even employee transportation—often individual cars or bikes—adds to daily emissions.

Imagine making a small change that could lead to a big difference. What if offices moved to using digital documents more often instead of paper? What if we took a closer look at the food we waste in our kitchens and found ways to cut down on it? What if we put solar panels or vertical gardens on our rooftops? What if companies encouraged employees to share rides, bike to work, or use electric cars? 

These seemingly straightforward ideas have the potential to significantly reduce our environmental footprint and create a healthier workplace, giving us hope for a more sustainable future.

Corporate Bangladesh has the resources to make these shifts. What we often lack is the will—or perhaps the imagination—to see these as core business functions, not fringe CSR exercises.

It's time to rethink our approach to sustainability. If your company has a CSR team but no recycling bins, we have a problem. If your workplace celebrates World Environment Day with 500 printed flyers or even a single plastic x-banner, the irony writes itself.

Environment consciousness shouldn't be confined to a single department or a special day—it must be embedded in the organisation's culture, operations, and decision-making. That's when it becomes real.

Of course, there are exceptions. There are organisations that have initiated steps like going paperless for many internal processes, encouraging hybrid work to reduce commuting emissions, and engaging staff on green initiatives. These might seem small, but small steps add up—especially when taken daily.

We don't need perfect companies. We need honest ones who are willing to examine their impact and act consistently beyond symbolism.

So, as June 5 approaches, plant a tree if you want to. But don't stop there. Ask harder questions. Start deeper conversations. Look around your office, your habits, your business practices. What are you doing the other 364 days? 

It's time to take a more active role in sustainability and be the change we want to see in our workplaces and communities.

Let's take a moment to be thoughtful in our everyday choices! When using paper and tissues, let's be mindful and conserve where possible. Let's also be savvy about our electricity and water usage—every little bit counts! 

As we go about our day, let's pay attention to how we dispose of our waste and strive to make the most of sound and light without negatively impacting the environment. Instead of overbuying and overspending, let's embrace the idea of reducing, reusing, and recycling. 

Because the earth doesn't need a selfie with our sapling. It requires our sustained attention.

Shafiq R Bhuiyan is a storyteller who examines the intersection of social progress, effective communication, cultural development, and corporate social responsibility while sharing insights to inspire change. 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.