Environment and Social Development Organization-ESDO in association with Mutual Trust Bank Limited (MTBL) initiated the “Plastic-Free Campus” to ensure a sustainable environment. For this perspective, an inception workshop was officially initiated on Sunday, 22nd January 2023 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. ESDO and Mutual Trust Bank Limited’s initiative to create a “Plastic Free Campus” project will help educational institutions fight single-use plastic pollution globally and promote Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Bangladesh.
Through this project, ESDO & MTBL are planning to include ten schools in five divisions in Bangladesh; namely Dhaka, Rajshahi, Khulna, Sylhet, and Rangpur. This project’s goals are to develop a second generation of environmental leaders, inform the younger generation about plastic pollution, and train them to reject single-use plastics. Additionally, start living a waste-free lifestyle from home to school and create a plastic-free campus.
Habibun Nahar, MP, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) graced the event as the chief guest. The event was chaired by Syed Marghub Murshed, respected Chairperson of ESDO and former Secretary of the Government of Bangladesh. Professor Mohammad Farhadul Islam, Chairman of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) graced the event as a Guest of Honor, along with Md. Moniruzzaman, Additional Secretary, MoEFCC, and Syed Mahbubur Rahman, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, MTBL as the special guest. ESDO’s Secretary-General, Dr. Shahriar Hossain, and Executive Director, Siddika Sultana were also present at the event.
Furthermore, representatives from government, national, and international organizations, Mutual Trust Bank Limited and Jute Diversification Promotion Centre, universities and schools, Girl Guide volunteers, the media, and ESDO team members were present at the event.