A Roundtable Discussion on ‘Solid Waste Management- Challenges and Solutions for Bangladesh’

Dhaka, Bangladesh - UNOPS Bangladesh hosted the 12th episode of "SDG Café," a monthly roundtable discussion series dedicated to addressing pressing development challenges and co-creating innovative solutions. As part of UNOPS’s commitment to getting Agenda 2030 back on track, this episode focuses on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 11, 12, & 13), dedicated to ensuring substantially reduced waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse by 2030. 

This roundtable took place on October 3, 2024, with the theme, ‘Solid Waste Management - Challenges and Solutions for Bangladesh’. With Bangladesh's urbanisation and waste generation increasing alarmingly, the session provided a platform for government representatives, development partners, private sector stakeholders, and environmental experts to explore solutions to the crisis surrounding waste. 

Bangladesh generates approximately 25,000 tons of waste per day, with cities like Dhaka managing nearly 6,500 tons daily, projected to reach 8,500 tons by 2032. Shockingly, 55% of solid waste in urban areas remains uncollected, exacerbating pollution, public health risks, and climate change. Dr Rowshan Mamtaz, keynote speaker and Professor of Environmental Engineering at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), outlined the stark realities of Bangladesh's waste management issues while emphasising the necessity of implementing a comprehensive household waste segregation system.

 "Inadequate infrastructure, lack of waste segregation, and poorly managed landfills are causing significant environmental issues. House no. 14 Road 54/A Email: unops.bangladesh@unops.org Gulshan 2 www.unops.org Dhaka 1212 Bangladesh damage. The volume of waste is expected to double every 15 years, and our current waste management system cannot keep pace," she stated. Dr. Mamtaz called for an urgent shift towards the 3R approach - Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle and emphasised that "Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) must be implemented and enforced to develop a sustainable waste management framework in Bangladesh." UNOPS Bangladesh Country Manager Sudhir Muralidharan echoed this sentiment: "Solid waste management is not just about disposal but also about reshaping our consumption patterns and making sustainability a priority. 

According to the World Bank, South Asia generates over 1.5 million tons of solid waste daily, with only 40% of it being collected and less than 10% recycled." He added, "To ensure sustainable and inclusive growth, the country needs a comprehensive approach that engages all stakeholders - from government agencies to industry and civil society. This includes investing in research and development of substitutes for single-use plastics, holding businesses accountable for the environmental impacts of their products, and promoting domestic waste segregation. Innovation, local initiatives & financial investments are crucial in enhancing informal value chains and improving plastic waste collection, paving the way for a sustainable circular economy. As part of our World Environment Day 2024 initiative, UNOPS Bangladesh has declared a Single-Use Plastics Free office while actively integrating sustainable environmental practices. 

UNOPS is committed to collaborating with government bodies, the private sector, and local communities to drive innovative waste solutions in line with the SDGs." In the following open discussion, stakeholders highlighted the importance of behavioural change and the integration of waste management into educational curricula to foster long-term sustainability. UNOPS reaffirmed its role in addressing these challenges by working with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to implement the Solid Waste Management Rules 2021 and promoting public-private partnerships for sustainable waste management initiatives. The roundtable discussion sought to identify the waste management challenges & solutions in Bangladesh.

This SDG Café convened essential stakeholders in Bangladesh, including government representatives, international organisations, and development partners like the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives (MoLGRDC), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW), Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change House no. 14 Road 54/A Email: unops.bangladesh@unops.org Gulshan 2 www.unops.org Dhaka 1212 Bangladesh (MoEFCC), Local Government Engineering Division (LGED), Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE), UN Agencies, Embassies, Academics, Think-tanks and Experts. 

They offered valuable guidance through engaging discussions and proposed innovative strategies and recommendations to advance solid waste management for urban development. As the session concluded, optimism grew around the potential for creative solutions and more robust policy frameworks. With Bangladesh striving to meet its Agenda 2030 targets, UNOPS and its partners are positioned to play a critical role in advancing sustainable waste management practices and mitigating the effects of climate change through responsible consumption and production. The discussions at the SDG Café underscored the urgent need for a multi-stakeholder approach to address Bangladesh’s waste management challenges. 

Through partnerships and capacity-building, UNOPS aims to foster innovation and create resilient, livable cities for future generations. By integrating sustainability into urban planning and solid waste management systems, Bangladesh can pave the way for a cleaner, greener future. [ENDS] About UNOPS: The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is a vital operational arm of the United Nations, dedicated to implementing and managing projects in some of the world's most challenging environments. UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects worldwide. 

With over 20 years of experience in Bangladesh, UNOPS is committed to contributing to achieving the country's sustainable development goals. 

For media inquiries, please get in touch with Musfika Sultana Communications Focal Point Email: musfikaS@unops.org