press release
MoU between ESDO and BSMMU to combat environmental pollution
In response to the rising environmental crisis posed by heavy metals (HMs) and plastic pollution, Environment and Social Development Organization-ESDO and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), have joined in a collaboration today by signing memorandum of understanding (MoU). This collaboration aims to tackle the pressing challenges caused by toxic pollutants and safeguarding both human health and the environment.
Dr. Shahriar Hossain, Re-elected as the Board of Directors of the Pacific Basin Consortium for Fourth Straight Year
Dr. Shahriar Hossain, Senior Policy & Technical Advisor of Environment and Social Development Organization-ESDO has been re-elected as a Board of Directors of the Pacific Basin Consortium (PBC) for 2024 to 2028. This is the fourth consecutive year; he is being elected a Board of Directors.
Mobile Campaign to Observe Plastic-Free July
To observe the Plastic-free July, a day-long mobile campaign was Environment and Social Development Organization- ESDO on July 8, 2023, in various locations in Dhaka city. Throughout this mobile campaign, an appealing message of ‘Combat plastic pollution’ was effectively spread to raise awareness about the pressing need to end plastic pollution.
Plastic INC-2 finished with a roadmap for INC-3
Plastic INC-2 finished up by laying out a roadmap for the time in between meetings leading to INC-3, requiring the creation of a “zero draft” of the new treaty for review at INC-3. Allocating a day to discuss the synthesis report of elements not thought of during INC-2 prior to the meeting. Representing Global Plastic INC-2, Dr. Shahriar Hossain, Secretary General of ESDO provided an overview of the meeting’s results today (Thursday) in the media briefing, press briefing organized by Environment and Social Development Organization.
Book Launching Ceremony for the “Plastic-free Campus” project
The Plastic-Free Campus Project could be the answer to beating plastic pollution. The younger generation is the driving force pushing for a shift away from the plastic culture and toward alternatives. Yesterday, the Environment and Social Development Organization-ESDO, partnered with MTBL and MAUSHI, held a book launching ceremony for the Plastic-free Campus Project. During the ceremony, experts and policymakers shared their views.
Visual Pollution Causes Severe Eye and Mental Health Problems
Visual pollution is a major cause of vision and mental health problems. Every year, an estimated 270,000 children in Dhaka suffer from eye fatigue and severe headaches.
To Enhance Sustainable Environment ESDO Initiate “Plastic-Free Campus”
To ensure a sustainable environment the Environment and Social Development Organization-ESDO initiated a project “Plastic-Free Campus”. For this perspective, an inception workshop was officially initiated yesterday Sunday in Dhaka. This initiative aims to build second-generation leadership, inform the young generation of the toxicity of plastic, and prepare young students to refuse single-use plastic.
“The Country Trend of Using Lead Paint”
In 2018, Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution-BSTI has set a standard of 90 ppm for using lead (Pb) in paints but lead paint is still available in Bangladesh. This information was revealed in a research conducted by Environment and Social Development Organization-ESDO in 2022.
Historic Global Plastic Treaty should change the tragic tale of our River!
Each day, 18 transboundary rivers in Bangladesh carry approximately 15,345 tons of single-use plastic waste. 2802 tons. 2519 tons come from India and 284 tons from Myanmar. According to an ESDO study, nearly half a million tons of single-use plastic waste enter our Bay of Bengal every year. A dialogue was conducted at a Dhaka hotel on Sunday to reveal the study results
INTERNATIONAL LEAD POISONING PREVENTION WEEK 2022 PROTECT EVERY CHILD, SAY NO TO LEAD POISONING!
On the occasion of International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week 2022, the youth of Bangladesh demanded a ban on lead paint production in Bangladesh through a human chain in front of the national press club.
Press Release: Brand Audit 2022: Coca-Cola remained the top polluter for the 5th time in a row!
Cocacola have again retained the top position as the top polluter of single-use plastic for the 5th time in a row, with 20.78% of the total waste. ESDO conducted this year’s audit in three different cities that are Dhaka, Khulna & Chittagong. More than 250 volunteers conducted the audit on August 25th, September 20th and September 24th respectively.
ESDO and Green Voice jointly conducted Brand Audit in Chittagong City
Chittagong city and Potenga Beach are littered with single-use plastic waste. Environment and Social Development Organization – ESDO in association with Green Voice conducted a day-long Brand Audit at Chittagong University and its surroundings and Potenga Beach to reveal the mask of the corporates who are responsible for plastic pollution.
Cleanliness program and Brand audit completed in the joint initiative of Development Studies Discipline and ESDO in Khulna University
On the occasion of World Cleanup Day 2022, Environment and Social Development Organization – ESDO jointly with Khulna University conducted a day-long Brand Audit at Khulna University premises and its surrounding area to reveal the mask of the corporates who are responsible for harming our environment.
Adapt Zero Waste Lifestyle and Turn Your Waste into Resource!
A Documentary Screening titled ‘Journey Towards Zero-Waste Community’ was organized by Environment and Social Development Organization-ESDO in association with Alliance Française de Dhaka today (Monday) at Alliance Française de Dhaka, Auditorium Nouvelle Vague.
Plastic Sachet Creates Huge Environmental Destruction!
Bangladesh produces 192,104 tons of sachet wastes per year which indicates 129 million sachets are used by Bangladeshi people on daily basis. 1.06 million tons of single-use plastic waste have been produced in Bangladesh in the years 2021-22 (June 21-May 22).
ESDO appeals to the Ministry of Finance of Bangladesh to reconsider the proposed tax withdrawal from plastic bags!
‘Government should reconsider the decision of the existing supplementary duty withdrawal on all types of polythene bags’, said Syed Marghub Murshed, Former Secretary of Government of people’s republic of Bangladesh and Chairperson of ESDO. This demand was made at a press briefing organized by Environment and Social Development Organization-ESDO today (Thursday) at ESDO head office.
ESDO has been awarded with National Environment Award 2020!
On the occasion of the World Environment Day 2022, Environment and Social Development Organization today received the National Environment Award 2020. This award was bestowed upon ESDO for its outstanding contribution to the development of the country’s environment.
Mini plastic Packets contributing largely to Asia's waste crisis!
To raise public awareness about the hazardous environmental consequences of using single-use plastic sachets and to motivate mass people to stop using them, Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO) held a day-long mobile and signature campaign to gain public support for banning all single-use plastic products including sachets on May 28, 2022, at multiple locations around Dhaka city.
Single-Use Plastic Free Fair – A very needed initiative of time!
Dhaka 4th June 2022: Entrepreneurs displayed alternatives of single-use plastic products at the country’s first-ever plastic-free fair on National Level. Environment and Social Development Organization – ESDO is kicking off a two-day long country’s first ever National Single-use Plastic Free fair on National level on 4th and 5th June 2022 at WVA Auditorium, Dhanmondi – 27, Dhaka.
Cancer-causing Bisphenols in Cash Receipts!
Dhaka 11th April 2022: Bisphenol A or BPA is considered an endocrine disruptor and can have adverse health effects, such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, infertility, diabetes, and obesity, study report. Environment and Social Development Organization-ESDO publishes a follow up research report titled ‘Transaction with Toxins: BPA in Cash Receipts’ in a virtual event today
Country’s First-Ever Single-Use Plastic Free Fair!
Dhaka 27th March 2022: SMEs showcase single-use plastic-free alternatives in the country’s first-ever plastic-free fair. Environment and Social Development Organization – ESDO organized the fair at three project locations Dhaka City, Rangpur City and Betgari Union. In Dhaka city, fair held on 25th and 26th March 2022 at the premises of Lalmatia Housing Society School and College.
Toxic Chemicals in Erasers: Children at Health Risk!
Dhaka 14th March 2022: Phthalate-a group of chemicals found in erasers are considered as endocrine disruptors and may also cause Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) syndrome, hormonal imbalance and affect the neurological developments of children. Today, Environment and Social Development (ESDO) released its new research report entitled ‘Toxic Chemicals in Kids Stationaries: Phthalates in Erasers’ virtually. The study was conducted collaboratively by ESDO in association with Financial Industry Public Interest Foundation and Wonjin Institute for Occupational and Environmental Health – WIOEH, Seoul, South Korea.
UNEA5.2 Adopted Historical Resolution to End Plastic Pollutions! !
Dhaka 3rd March 2022: At UNEA5.2, The UN Member states just adopted a landmark mandate calling for the development of a legally binding of the world’s first Global Plastic Pollution Treaty with a full life cycle approach. It is being described as the most significant green deal since the 2015 Paris climate agreement.
Dentists Shout Out to Phase-out Mercury Amalgam by 2022!
Dhaka 23rd February 2022: “Government of Bangladesh has always worked for the betterment of people and is committed to saving our people’s health as well as environment” said Habibun Nahar, MP, Honorable Deputy Minister, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. “Alternatives are widely available in our country and as a matter of fact from the study findings of ESDO and BDS, we can see dentists are using these alternatives. These alternatives need to be accessible and affordable to everyone so we can phase out this hazardous toxic chemical from our country” she added.
Tourism and Single use Plastic: A Mismatched Combination!
Dhaka 16th February 2022: ‘The tourism industry, airlines, hotels, motels and restaurants must shift from single-use plastic to alternatives. And eliminate problematic or unnecessary plastic packaging for the good of our environment and public health, said Syed Marghub Murshed, former secretary of Bangladesh and President of ESDO.
To raise public awareness about the hazardous environmental consequences of using single-use plastic sachets, Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO) held a day-long mobile and signature campaign to gain public support on “Banning Single-use Plastic Sachets” on May 28, 2022, at multiple locations around Dhaka city.
Landfills: Prime Hotspots of Pollution & Health Hazard
Dhaka 13th February 2022: Environmentalists and experts have called for a move of public-private-community partnerships to manage waste. The call was made as part of a high-level policy dialogue on “Zero Waste Communities for Sustainable Waste Management” organized by the Environment and Social Development Organization – ESDO virtually.
The Surma River becomes Sylhet City's junkyard
Dhaka 26th January 2022: In 2021, around 54 tons of plastic waste was generated a day in Sylhet City Corporation – SCC, where the most used single-use plastic products were sachets, one-time used utensils, and personal care products. The Environment and Social Development (ESDO) today released its new research report entitled “The Plastic Deluge: In the Sylhet City Corporation Area, Bangladesh”. The study was conducted collaboratively by ESDO and the University of Portsmouth. under the STEPP (Sustainable Transitions to End Plastic Pollution) project.
Dhaka 13th January 2022: Environmental activists and experts demanded international response to prevent toxic in plastic. This demand was made on a media briefing on ‘Chemicals in Plastic: A Growing Public Health Crisis’ organized by Environment and Social Development Organization – ESDO in collaboration with International Pollutants Elimination Network – IPEN on 13th January both physically and virtually.
The Youth demanded Ban on Lead Paints
October 23, 2021 Dhaka: Lead poisoning in children continues to be the most common cause of death in Bangladesh. With a view to that, Youth urged a regulation in total lead paints through a human chain organized by Environment and Social Development organization – ESDO today in front of Bangladesh High Court followed by a rally that ended in front of Raju Vashkorjo at Dhaka University.
Coca-Cola, Pran, PepsiCo & Unilever are Top polluters in Bangladesh!
Dhaka 21 September 2021: The Coca-Cola Company, PepsiCo, Pran RFL Ltd. Nestlé and Unilever have been Bangladesh’s largest plastic polluters for the fourth consecutive year. As per the Environmental and Social Development Organization (ESDO) Branding Audit Report. The report entitled “Bitter Truth of Plastic Pollution” was made public today as part of a virtual information session.
High levels of dangerous chemical BPA found in Cash Receipts
Huge Use of Poly Bag: 78 Thousand Tons of Waste in a Year
5th June, 2021, Dhaka: According to a recent study more than 78 thousand tons of poly bag waste generated in one year of pandemic in Bangladesh and Illegal production of poly bag goes up half a million a day. ESDO unveiled the study finding in a Policy Briefing and Dialogue on “Enforcement of Law on Polythene Bag Ban: Restore the Ecosystem” today virtually.
Expert Urge Government to Rectify Basel Ban Amendment
Environmentally Sound Management ULAB An Urgent Need in Bangladesh
24th February 2021, Dhaka, Bangladesh: Government should initiate environmentally sound management (ESM) and regulate unauthorized ULAB recycling to prevent health risk and environmental pollution. Experts express there concern on informal recycling of used lead acid battery through out the country in a Capacity Building Workshop organized by Environment and Social Development Organization – ESDO in collaboration with UN Environment Program and International Lead Association in Dhaka both physically and virtually.
Environmentally Sound Management ULAB An Urgent Need in Bangladesh
Dhaka 14 February 2021: To make the people aware of the hazardous effects of toxic plastic, Environment and Social Development Organization- ESDO had arranged a day-long mobile campaign on “Building Toxic Plastic Free Environment in Bangladesh” on 14th February 2021 in some distinct places of Dhaka city.
