A pilot project has been launched to manage solid waste in the country aiming to build 'zero waste community'.
A huge amount of waste remains uncollected in big cities, speakers said at a virtual event, emphasizing on more efforts to ensure a pollution-free country.
And with a view to finding a way out of this situation, Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO) launched a pilot project titled "Building Zero Waste Communities for a Pollution-free Environment in Bangladesh" on Saturday.
Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Atiqul Islam addressed the event as the chief guest while Director General of Department of Environment A.K.M. Rafique Ahammed as the special guest.
Chairperson of ESDO Syed Marghub Murshed chaired the event.
Appreciating such an environment-friendly initiative, the mayor said the DNCC will soon offer city building owners 10 per cent holding tax rebate if they make gardens on their rooftops.
A total of 23 parks and four playgrounds will be opened to city dwellers soon, he added.
The government is working to install an eco-friendly waste-to-energy power plant at Amin Bazar landfill. "A huge amount of waste remains uncollected every day. DNCC will provide every possible assistance needed to run the project successfully," the mayor said.
Mr Rafique said all want a waste-free place to live in, but very few contribute to keeping the city clean. He believes that all should cooperate individually to ensure a healthy environment.
Bangladesh generates 25,000 tonnes of solid waste in urban areas every day but a huge amount of waste remains uncollected.
It is expected that waste generation will be increased by 47,000 tonnes per day by 2025.
Zero waste is a set of principles focused on waste prevention that encourages the redesign of product lifecycles so that they can be reused.
