The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) Bangladesh Office has organised 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 places the spotlight 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," reads a press release issued Thursday.
With Bangladesh's urbanisation and waste generation increasing at an alarming rate, 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 tonnes of waste per day, with cities like Dhaka managing nearly 6,500 tonnes daily- a number projected to reach 8,500 tonnes by 2032. Shockingly, 55 per cent 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 waste segregation system for households.
She said, "Inadequate infrastructure, lack of waste segregation, and poorly managed landfills are causing significant environmental damage. The volume of waste is expected to double every 15 years, and our current waste management system cannot keep pace."
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, stating, "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 tonnes of solid waste daily, with only 40 per cent of it being collected and less than 10 per cent recycled."
He further opined that, "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."
He added, "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 open discussion that followed, 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 Cafe convened essential stakeholders in Bangladesh, including government representatives, international organisations, and development partners like the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Local Government Engineering Division (LGED), Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE), UN Agencies, Embassies, Academics, Think-tanks and Experts.
Through engaging discussions, they offered valuable guidance and put forward innovative strategies and recommendations to advance solid waste management for urban development.
As the session concluded, optimism grew around the potential for innovative solutions and stronger 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 Cafe 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.
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 around the world. With over 20 years of experience in Bangladesh, UNOPS is committed to contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in the country.
