Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), in collaboration with Bidyanondo Foundation, has launched a “Waste-for-Goods Market” initiative to encourage citizens’ participation in keeping the city clean, promote proper waste management and support marginalised communities.
DSCC Administrator Abdus Salam formally inaugurated the initiative as the chief guest at a programme held on Monday at a field adjacent to Hazaribagh slum in the capital.
Following the inauguration, local residents of Hazaribagh deposited waste and collected essential items, including rice, lentils, edible oil, salt, potatoes and tissue, from temporary stalls.
Addressing the programme, the DSCC administrator said active participation from citizens is essential to building a clean city.
“The Waste-for-Goods Market is an effective model to encourage such participation. Dumping plastic and other waste into drains and sewers blocks water flow and causes waterlogging. If citizens deposit waste at designated places, both waterlogging and environmental pollution can be reduced,” he said.
Salam said plans have been taken to expand the awareness initiative across the city. A permanent stall will be set up in Gulistan within the next week, he added.
He said steps have also been taken to establish a permanent stall in each DSCC ward within the next three to four months.
The DSCC administrator also announced that a “Food-for-Books” programme will be introduced at suitable locations of Secondary Transfer Stations (STSs), where chairs, tables and books will be arranged for street children.
Bidyanondo Foundation Executive Director Jamal Uddin said the initiative aims to turn marginalised communities into active partners in keeping the city clean rather than simply providing assistance to them.
“Instead of simply helping marginalised people, we are making them partners in keeping the city clean,” he said.
Jamal Uddin said nearly Tk 1 crore has been earned through the sale of plastic waste over the past two years, adding that the amount could provide meals for around 400,000 people.
Under the project, organisers have set a target of collecting around 100,000 kg of waste through 100 mobile campaigns over the next year.
DSCC Chief Waste Management Officer Air Commodore Md Mahbubur Rahman Talukder, senior officials of the city corporation and volunteers of Bidyanondo Foundation attended the programme.
