Dhaka: 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 at a field adjacent to Hazaribagh slum in the capital on Monday.
According to United News of Bangladesh, following the inauguration, local residents of Hazaribagh deposited waste and collected essential commodities, including rice, lentils, edible oil, salt, potatoes, and tissue, from temporary stalls. Addressing the programme, the DSCC administrator said active participation of citizens is essential to building a clean city. Salam emphasized that the 'Waste-for-Goods Market' is an effective model to encourage such participation, noting that dumping plastic and other waste into drains and sewers obstructs water drainage and causes waterlogging. By depositing waste at designated places, both waterlogging and environmental pollution can be addressed.
Salam also announced plans to expand the public awareness initiative across the city, revealing that a permanent stall will be set up in Gulistan within the next week. Initiatives have been taken to establish one permanent stall in each DSCC ward within the next three to four months. Concurrently, a 'Food-for-Books' programme will be introduced at convenient locations of Secondary Transfer Stations (STSs), with chairs, tables, and books provided for street children.
Bidyanondo Foundation Executive Director Jamal Uddin explained, 'Instead of simply helping marginalised people, we are making them partners in keeping the city clean.' Over the past two years, nearly Tk 1 crore has been earned through the sale of plastic waste, with proceeds potentially providing meals to around 400,000 people. Under the project, the organisers have set a target of collecting around 100,000 kg of waste through 100 mobile campaigns over the next year.
The programme was attended by DSCC Chief Waste Management Officer Air Commodore Md Mahbubur Rahman Talukder, senior city corporation officials, and volunteers of the foundation.