A discussion meeting and cleanup program were held in the Thota area of Kamrangirchar, Dhaka, to raise public awareness about the sustainable use of single-use plastic products, reducing plastic pollution, and promoting environmentally sound plastic waste management.
The program was organized under the Department of Environment (DoE), Government of Bangladesh, initiative titled “Integrated Approach Towards Sustainable Plastics Use and Marine Litter Prevention in Bangladesh,” with technical assistance from the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and financial support from the Royal Norwegian Embassy. The event took place on Friday at the auditorium of Kamrangirchar Government Secondary School, bringing together local residents, government officials, teachers, students, business owners, sanitation workers, volunteers, and other relevant stakeholders.
The first session began at 10:15 am with a presentation on the project, its key objectives, and the planned activities. Representatives of UNIDO Bangladesh highlighted different aspects of the initiative. Representatives of local volunteer organizations, business owners, teachers, students, and other stakeholders also exchanged views on promoting the sustainable use of single-use plastic products and establishing effective waste management practices. The program aimed to reduce excessive reliance on single-use plastic products, encourage the use of reusable alternatives, promote the disposal of plastic and other waste at designated locations, and foster the practice of waste segregation at the the source. Participants also emphasized the importance of preventing indiscriminate waste disposal to keep rivers, canals,drains, and other water bodies free from plastic pollution and to ensure a cleaner environment through proper waste management.
Iqbal Md Zaker Hossain Kabir, Head Teacher of Kamrangirchar Government Secondary School, attended the discussion as the chief guest. In his remarks, he highlighted the health risks associated with an unclean environment and urged students and other participants to avoid unnecessary use of single-use plastic products and minimize their consumption as far as possible. The session was chaired by Mahi Islam Polok, Zonal Coordinator of BD Clean–Dhaka South.
Following the discussion, an awareness campaign was conducted from 10:30 am to 12 noon among permanent and temporary shops in the Thota area of Kamrangirchar. Shopkeepers and local residents were encouraged to reduce the use of single-use plastic products, refrain from littering, and dispose of waste at designated locations. Representatives of UNIDO, members of BD Clean, local residents, students, volunteers, and other stakeholders took part in the campaign.
It may be noted that from 12 to 14 October 2026, a large-scale clean-up operation was conducted along the Buriganga River in Thota and other areas of Kamrangirchar and Keraniganj to remove and collect single-use plastic waste. The operation was carried out through relevant government agencies of Bangladesh with technical assistance from UNIDO. The organizers and participants expressed hope that initiatives of this kind would increase public awareness of the environmental damage caused by plastic waste and encourage better practices in waste collection, segregation, and disposal at designated locations. They also stressed that the active participation of local residents, business owners, young people, and volunteers would help foster long-term social responsibility for maintaining a clean environment and preventing plastic pollution. The program concluded with a call for regular awareness-raising activities, responsible practices in everyday life, and sustained, effective community engagement at the local level to protect the environment and ensure the sustainable management of solid and liquid waste, including plastic waste.