In light of a recent study by Rajuk, which found that only 51% of the waste in the capital was properly being disposed each day, we think it is high time that the government establish a more functional and efficient waste management system in the country.
The most prevalent waste disposal method is landfilling, and quite often, this simply entails dumping the waste wherever convenient. According to Rajuk’s study, 11% of the waste is left on roadsides and open spaces every day.
Authorities of the two city corporations not only refused to accept Rajuk’s conclusions, they blamed the agency for the capital’s poorly planned urbanisation which apparently caused the waste management crisis.
Such finger-pointing is not the kind of response that is expected from the concerned authorities. We urge the government to take the matter seriously and look into alternative and more sustainable methods of waste management.
Uncontrolled dumping worsens the spread of infections and pollutes our air, water, and land. It is our government’s responsibility to ensure that Bangladeshi citizens can enjoy a clean and inhabitable capital city.
Implementation and enforcement of such plans will require the authorities concerned to work together amongst themselves. The first step to solving our waste management crisis is for our political parties to acknowledge the problem.