Dhaka, March 24 (BDR): Bangladesh needs to urgently reform its waste management to address environmental challenges and reduce methane emissions, said Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forests, Climate Change and Water Resources.
The advisor said she announced plans to launch waste segregation programs in selected areas jointly with city corporations and local government agencies on World Environment Day.
She made these remarks while delivering the chief guest speech at an online consultation workshop titled ‘Bangladesh’s NDC 2021 Review: Incorporating Decentralized Waste Management and Methane Mitigation Strategies’, connecting virtually from Chittagong today.
The workshop was organized by the Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO).
The environment advisor highlighted the unplanned and inefficient waste management in the country, saying, ‘We are still not following the waste segregation system effectively at the national level. There are some pilot projects, but the overall management is not structured.
He further said, “Although our large urban landfills are located in specific locations, they are not environmentally certified and are not being managed properly; which is a matter of deep concern.”
The advisor said that on World Environment Day, he announced plans to launch waste segregation programs in specific areas jointly with city corporations and local government agencies.
He further mentioned that environmental pollution is becoming serious due to unplanned waste disposal outside the capital. Warning about the risk of landfill fires, the environmental advisor admitted the interest in producing energy from waste, but warned about its over-reliance.
In this regard, he said that incineration is not an effective solution due to the high moisture content of Bangladesh’s waste. We need site-based sustainable solutions for landfills like Aminbazar and Matuail.
Climate expert Professor Dr. Ainun Nishat, Director General of the Department of Environment Dr. Kamruzzaman, ESDO President Syed Margub Murshed, and ESDO CEO and Executive Director Siddika Sultana. The workshop brought together policymakers, experts, and stakeholders to discuss practical strategies for decentralized waste management and methane mitigation.
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