Ahammad Parvej Khan
Strengthening urban waste management systems and accelerating the transition toward zero-waste cities took center stage at a high-level Roundtable and Open Discussion titled “Accelerating Zero Waste at City Level,” organized by the Environment and Social Development Organization- ESDO in collaboration with Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) at Buriganga Hall, Nagar Bhaban, Dhaka.
The event, held in observance of the International Day of Zero Waste 2026, brought together policymakers, city authorities, waste management experts, youth representatives, civil society members, media professionals and development partners to address the growing waste crisis in Dhaka and identify sustainable, scalable solutions.
The session opened with a brief presentation on global zero-waste priorities, illustrating international best practices and their relevance for Dhaka.
This was followed by Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) sharing ongoing and upcoming plans, initiatives, and priorities in waste reduction, segregation, and organic waste management, demonstrating how the city aims to turn challenges into opportunities for sustainable resource management and improved public health.
During the session, Md. Abdus Salam, Administrator of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), highlighted,“Our Zero Waste vision can only be realized if both city dwellers and administration diligently perform their part. As city administrators, we come to know about a range of distressing consequences that stem from unmanaged waste. For example, the waste workers in the landfill face a myriad of diseases. On the bright side, the current Prime Minister has already conducted meetings with DSCC and academics to evaluate the feasibility of introducing new technologies for managing waste."
Md. Jahirul Islam, CEO of DSCC, highlighted,“Waste is nothing but a resource. The Matuail landfill can make zero waste a reality with joint efforts from government, civil society, and foreign development partners. Everyone must commit, starting with simple actions like avoiding polythene, to turn this vision into reality.”
Air Commodore Md Mahabubur Rahman Talukder, OSP, BPP, PSC, and Chief Waste Management Officer, DSCC stated: “At Matuail landfill, we’re turning 3,300 tonnes of daily waste, 68% organic, into valuable resources. Our new 81-acre Resource Circulation Centre will produce biogas, electricity, industrial fuels, poultry feed, and eco-bricks, while the existing landfill captures gas and runs a solar project. Together, these initiatives cut 15,000 tonnes of methane a year, slash carbon emissions by 465,000 tonnes of CO₂, and even generate carbon credits, all tracked in real time with our MRV system.”
Dr. Shahriar Hossain, Senior Technical Advisor of ESDO, who facilitated the interactive dialogue, stated:"The lack of political will and inconsistency often hinders our success. But no challenge can prevent change if we remain fully committed. Against all odds, ESDO’s activism has only moved forward over the years. Starting from a plastic-free campus to a zero-waste model village, we will not stop until we transform Bangladesh into a zero-waste nation."
The event concluded with a shared commitment to enhance collaboration, promote policy alignment, and accelerate actionable strategies that align with national priorities and global best practices in sustainable waste management.
