Adviser Rizwana Urges Urgent Reform in Waste Management

Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan

Bangladesh urgently needs to reform its waste management system to mitigate environmental damage and curb methane emissions, emphasized Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Monday.

Speaking at a virtual workshop titled Revisiting Bangladesh’s NDC 2021: Integrating Decentralized Waste Management and Methane Mitigation Strategies, organized by the Environment and Social Development Organisation (ESDO), Rizwana stressed the critical need for immediate action on waste segregation and methane reduction.

She pointed to the country’s inefficient waste management practices, highlighting that despite some pilot initiatives, large-scale waste segregation remains largely absent. "Our waste management system is chaotic and poorly structured. Although we have some pilot projects in place, nationwide segregation is still not a reality," she remarked.

In response, the adviser outlined plans to partner with city corporations and local authorities to implement waste segregation programs in key areas. "This World Environment Day, I aim to work with local authorities to kickstart a national segregation initiative. While major urban landfills are designated, they are neither environmentally certified nor properly managed. This is a critical issue we must address," she emphasized.

Rizwana also raised concerns about the devastating environmental impacts of unregulated waste disposal, particularly outside the capital. She recounted a recent conversation with a local government agency urging them to stop illegal waste dumping near a national park, underscoring the gravity of the situation. "This is a glaring example of the extent of the problem. It is time for us to focus on comprehensive waste management reforms," she said.

She also addressed the risks associated with landfill fires, acknowledging the growing interest in waste-to-energy projects. However, she cautioned against over-reliance on incineration, noting that the high moisture content of Bangladesh's waste makes incineration less viable. "We need site-specific solutions to address issues in problem areas like Amin Bazar and Matuail," she explained.

Rizwana reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to integrating waste management strategies into its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to reduce emissions, stressing that waste segregation is central to this effort. "We must resist the temptation of quick-fix solutions that may seem appealing but are not sustainable in the long run," she concluded.