Clean-up campaign held to tackle single-use plastic waste
The campaign took place yesterday at Taltola Market in Agargaon, Dhaka
The Department of Environment (DoE), with technical support from the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and financial support from the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Dhaka, organised a clean-up campaign to address the issue of single-use plastic waste in urban areas.
The campaign took place yesterday (17 October) at Taltola Market in Agargaon, Dhaka.
The event aimed to raise awareness among local communities and market stakeholders about reducing the use of single-use plastics and promoting sustainable alternatives. Key speakers at the event included Zaki Uz Zaman, UNIDO country representative for Bangladesh, Abdul Hamid, director general of the DoE, and members of the Taltola Market Traders' Association.
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Zaki Uz Zaman emphasised the importance of sustainable plastic usage and reiterated UNIDO's support for the government's efforts.
He stated, "While the DoE leads initiatives like this, UNIDO provides technical support and guidance. However, it ultimately depends on the community to take proactive measures. Collective community action is essential for ensuring the success of these efforts and achieving long-term environmental sustainability."
He also called on the local community to actively participate and make impactful changes in their plastic usage practices.
Abdul Hamid stressed the need for immediate and effective action to reduce plastic waste.
He said, "Careless disposal of plastic bags, such as throwing them out of vehicles, significantly contributes to plastic pollution. When these bags break down, they form microplastics that pollute our environment and eventually enter our respiratory systems, posing serious health risks."
He urged the community to be mindful of their actions and work together toward a cleaner environment.
During the event, UNIDO and the DoE distributed alternative materials to replace polythene bags and launched the installation of bins and permanent notice boards for collecting existing polythene packaging from the market.
BD Clean also participated in the clean-up efforts, assisting in removing and collecting plastic waste from the area.
