Staff Correspondent
The Environment and Social Development Organization -ESDO, in collaboration with Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), the Department of Environment (DoE) and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), organized a national seminar titled "Zero Waste and Climate Change: Advancing Sustainable and Resilient Bangladesh" at the Department of Environment auditorium in Agargaon, Dhaka, to mark World Environment Day 2026.
The seminar brought together government officials, environmental experts, local government representatives, researchers, development practitioners, civil society organizations, youth, and media representatives to discuss how zero-waste approaches can accelerate Bangladesh's climate action while promoting sustainable and resilient communities.
The inaugural session featured remarks from Professor Dr. Md. Abul Hashem, Senior Technical Advisor, Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO) in Dhaka and former Chairman, Department of Chemistry at Jahangirnagar University, "Plastic-clogged drains and unmanaged organic waste are intensifying the impacts of climate change around us. Nearly 70% of kitchen waste can be returned to agriculture instead of ending up in landfills that generate methane. Waste segregation is one of the simplest climate actions we can take."
Delivering the keynote presentation, Noshin Naila, Project Lead, Plastics and Zero Waste at ESDO, presented the organization's vision of Zero Waste as a practical and community-driven climate solution.
She highlighted, "Zero waste is not about managing waste; it is about redesigning the way we produce, consume, and value our resources. When communities become part of the solution, waste is transformed into a resource, climate action takes root at the local level, and sustainability becomes a way of life."
The seminar also featured a technical presentation by Air Commodore Md. Mahabubur Rahman Talukder, Chief Waste Management Officer, Dhaka South City Corporation, who shared the corporation's ongoing initiatives, explained, "Dhaka South City Corporation manages between 3,200 and 3,300 tonnes of municipal waste every day, of which nearly 68% is organic, 14% is plastic, 14% is combustible, and 4% is non-combustible.
Through our 3R pilot, we are already reducing around 100 tonnes of organic waste daily, demonstrating the potential of source segregation and resource recovery. Alongside improving the welfare of sanitation workers, we are pursuing modern landfill rehabilitation and waste-to-resource infrastructure through international partnerships.
Three major projects are expected to become operational this year, marking an important step toward a cleaner, more climate-resilient Dhaka."
An interactive discussion session, moderated by Ishtiaque Uddin Ahmad, Former Chief Conservator of Forest, encouraged participants to exchange experiences and recommendations on reducing waste sector emissions, improving waste segregation and recycling, strengthening local government capacity, and integrating Zero Waste principles into national climate and development strategies. Representatives from government agencies, development organizations, academia, environmental groups, and local authorities contributed to the discussion.
Rear Admiral (Retd.) Md. Khurshed Alam, ndc, psc, and Chairman, National Oceanographic and Maritime Institute (NOAMI), explained, "The health of our rivers, coasts, and oceans begins with how we manage waste on land. Plastic pollution and unmanaged organic waste not only degrade marine ecosystems but also undermine our climate resilience. A transition to zero waste and a circular economy is therefore not just an environmental necessity, it is essential for protecting Bangladesh's blue economy and securing a sustainable future for generations to come."
Masud Iqbal Md. Shameem, Director (Dhaka Metro), Department of Environment (DoE), highlighted, "Waste management is a shared responsibility, and Dhaka's recurring urban floods remind us of the cost of inaction. We must treat waste as a resource, begin with source segregation, and strengthen the implementation of existing waste management rules."
The seminar concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Sadmeen Sadaf Jahan, Assistant Program Officer, who expressed appreciation to the Department of Environment, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, participating institutions, speakers, development partners, media representatives, and all attendees for their contributions to the successful observance of World Environment Day 2026.
Through the seminar, ESDO reinforced its continued commitment to advancing evidence-based policies, community-led Zero-Waste solutions, and multi-stakeholder collaboration to reduce pollution, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and support Bangladesh's transition toward a sustainable, climate-resilient future.
