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National Seminar Calls for Sustainable Action on Solid Waste Management


Sabbir Rahman Khan30.06.2025
As part of the 3-day long National Seminar organised by the Department of Environment (DoE) to commemorate World Environment Day 2025, a thematic session titled “Sustainable Management of Solid Waste: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Way Forward” was held on 26 June 2026.

The session, convened by WaterAid Bangladesh in collaboration with the Department of Environment and partners including, Swiss Red Cross, Bangladesh Petrochemical Company Limited (BPCL), WEEE Society Bangladesh, and Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS); brought together key voices from government, private sector, civil society, development agencies, academia and the media. The event was held under the umbrella of the Swiss-supported GO4IMPact programme, jointly implemented by WaterAid Bangladesh-Swisscontact Bangladesh consortium.

Hasin Jahan, Country Director, WaterAid Bangladesh in her welcome remark emphasising on behaviour change, incentives, and circular thinking.

With the welcome remark delivered by Hasin Jahan, Country Director, WaterAid Bangladesh, the session was graced by Mohammad Navid Safiullah, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, as Chief Guest. The session was chaired by Dr. Md. Sohrab Ali, Additional Director General, Department of Environment. Speakers and participants explored the current realities of plastic, organic, and electronic waste, and discussed the systemic reforms needed to address the growing environmental and public health risks.

Chief Guest Mohammad Navid Safiullah underscored - a three-pronged approach is essential for effective solid waste management: mass public awareness, institutional enforcement and strong regulatory action. In her welcome remark, Hasin Jahan highlighted that waste solutions must go beyond bins. Behaviour change, incentives, and circular thinking are key to ending plastic pollution. Dr. Md. Sohrab Ali, Additional Director General, Department of Environment emphasised the need for stronger institutional leadership and coordinated action. Shirin Sultana Lira, Programme Manager – Governance, Climate Change and Environment, Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh emphasised that collaboration, coordination, and joint action are prerequisites for building a cleaner, safer, and climate-resilient future.

Chief Guest Mohammad Navid Safiullah highlighting on a three-pronged approach: mass public awareness, institutional enforcement and strong regulatory action

The keynote presentation was delivered by Saief Manzoor-Al-Islam, Team Leader, GO4IMPact programme, who outlined the policy landscape, current management gaps, and strategic recommendations for integrated solid waste management in Bangladesh. Presentations also included practical experiences on plastic waste by Khadem Mahmud Yusuf, Managing Director, BPCL; organic waste management by Kamalendu Das, Technical Manager, Swiss Red Cross; and e-waste management by Dr. Md. Mostafa Akbar, Vice Chairperson, WEEE Society Bangladesh.

A high-level panel discussion followed, featuring reflections on the roles of youth, citizens, development partners, private sector, and local government in advancing sustainable waste solutions. Distinguished speakers included Razinara Begum, Director (Waste and Chemicals Management), Department of Environment (DoE); Shirin Sultana Lira, Programme Manager, Governance, Climate Change and Environment, Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh; Dr. Tariq Bin Yousuf, Solid Waste Management Specialist, UDCGP, LGED; Sumaiya Tabassum, Head of Sustainability, Pran RFL; and Abrar Jahin Raein, Member, TIB General Assembly on Youth Engagement & Support (YES) Group

Shirin Sultana Lira, Programme Manager – Governance, Climate Change and Environment, Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh emphasised that collaboration, coordination, and joint action are prerequisites

The session also included an open discussion segment, where attendees contributed insights on the challenges, opportunities, and actionable pathways for improving waste governance, infrastructure, and private sector participation across municipalities and rural areas.

Partha Hefaz Shaikh, Director- Programmes and Policy Advocacy, WaterAid Bangladesh, delivered the vote of thanks, formally concluding session. This was the first thematic session of the seminar series, aimed at shaping national dialogue and actions to meet the country’s waste challenges.