“Building Zero Waste Communities for a Pollution-free Environment in Bangladesh” a pilot project incepted by ESDO
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Dear Sir/ Madam,
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Sincerely,
Samina Khondaker
Associate Media and Communication Team
Environment and Social Development Organization- ESDO
12th September, 2020
Press Release
“Building Zero Waste Communities for a Pollution-free Environment in Bangladesh” a pilot project incepted by ESDO
Dhaka and Rangpur, 12th September, 2020: Every day Bangladesh generates a huge amount of solid wastes. The majority of these wastes remain uncollected. With a view to create a way out to this situation, ESDO has initiated a pilot project entitled “Building Zero Waste Communities for a Pollution-free Environment in Bangladesh” to involve the Mayors of DNCC and Rangpur City Corporation, Director General of Department of Environment and other relevant Govt officials as well as relevant stakeholders to apprise this idea and urge to best practice and sustainable safe management. It was held on 12 September, 2020, 11.00 am to 1.00 pm virtually through Zoom.
The purpose of the workshop was to officially launch the project goal and share information about the project objectives and implementation strategies with the stakeholders and media. In addition, to discuss and get recommendations from different stakeholders and guest participants.
The inception workshop was participated by Md. Atiqul Islam, Honorable Mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation; Dr. A.K.M. Rafique Ahammed, Director General, Department of Environment, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh; Mr. Syed Marghub Murshed, ESDO’s Chairperson & Former Secretary, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh; Shibu K Nair, Indian Coordinator, GAIA Asia Pacific; Dr. Shahriar Hossain, Secretary General, ESDO; Ms. Siddika Sultana, Executive Director, ESDO along with the Executive Community Members and Advisory Council Members and team members of ESDO and media personnel.
According to Md. Atiqul Islam, “It is so disappointing to see a huge amount of waste remained uncollected every day. I am really glad to know that ESDO has initiated such a project regarding this issue. Dhaka North City Corporation will provide every possible assistance needed to run the project successfully.”
Mr. Shibu k Nair said, “Zero waste is a very interesting project and I will always be on ESDO’s side with any kind of support to implement the project. On behalf of ESDO team I would like to request Bangladesh Government to support this project as I believe ESDO team will successfully implement the project all over the country”
Dr. A.K.M. Rafique Ahammed stated, “We all want a waste free place to live in. But very few contribute to keep the city clean. I think we all should cooperate individually to make a clean and healthy environment.”
Chairperson of ESDO, Mr. Syed Marghub Murshed said, “The main interventions and activities of the project are to assess and identify current waste management scenario and generate solution model, planning and testing zero waste mechanism. But ESDO team is committed to overcome all the challenges to come up with the best possible outcome of the project.”
The project also aimed to establish partnership and linkage with the communities and the local government as well as other relevant agencies and arranged media workshop. Moreover, setting up – domestic waste composting unit, central composting unit, organic farming and rooftop gardening in the project locations is a part of this project plan.
Background Information:
Every day Bangladesh generates 25,000 tons of solid waste in the urban areas. A huge amount of waste remains uncollected. It is expected that waste production will be increased by 47,000 tons per day by 2025. In 1995, per person, the average waste production rate was 0.49 kg/person/day, but this amount is projected to rise to 0.60 kg/person/day by 2025*.
Zero waste is a set of principles focused on waste prevention that encourages the redesign of products life cycles, so that they can be reused. The goal is no trash to be sent to landfills, incinerators, or the ocean. Currently, only 9% of plastic is actually recycled. In a zero waste system, material will be reused until the optimum level of consumption.
For further information, please contact;
Samina Khondaker
Associate Media and Communication Team
ESDO
Tel: +880-2-9122729
Cell: +880-1731779953
Email: info@esdo.org
* https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/environment/news/when-the-garbage-piles-1810375
