New Paradigm for Dhaka: Turning Waste into Value on World Cleanup Day 2025
By Rashed Jia Rana
Dhaka’s waste crisis is not an intractable problem—it is a systemic challenge rooted in fragmented governance and the absence of a central, formal recycling entity. The city’s waste is not a liability. It is a resource waiting to be unlocked.
World Cleanup Day 2025 provides a powerful opportunity to rethink waste management in Dhaka and chart a path toward resilience. By recognizing the role of the informal sector and adopting context-appropriate technologies like composting, Dhaka can transform waste into value, create dignified jobs, and emerge as a global model of a green megacity.
The Scale of the Crisis
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Dhaka generates 6,500 tonnes of municipal solid waste daily, projected to rise to 8,500 tonnes/day by 2032.
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Urban Bangladesh contributes ~25,000 tonnes/day, yet more than half remains uncollected due to service and infrastructure gaps.
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Residents consume 22.5 kg of plastic per person annually, higher than the national urban average. Yet only 37–40% of plastic waste is recycled.
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An estimated 2,000–2,500 tonnes of food is wasted daily in Dhaka (FAO, 2023).
This scale of mismanagement directly contributes to urban flooding, health hazards, and economic loss.
Challenges at a Glance
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Low household segregation → Mixed waste undermines recycling and composting.
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Open dumping → Clogs drains and pollutes public areas.
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No government-led recycling enterprise → Entirely informal recycling sector.
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Drain blockages & flooding → Seasonal monsoon floods intensified.
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Public health risks → Mosquito breeding, waterborne diseases, contamination.
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Economic loss → Valuable materials wasted instead of recovered.
Impacts on the City
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Seasonal Flooding: Waste-filled drains worsen monsoon inundation.
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Health Hazards: Vector-borne and waterborne diseases spread rapidly.
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Economic Loss: Food, energy, and recyclables vanish instead of fueling circular systems.
Pathways to Transformation
1. Strengthen Partnerships
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Formalize collaboration between communities, municipalities, and recyclers.
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Empower the informal sector with dignity, fair wages, and social protection.
2. Promote Reduction at Source
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Encourage reusable bags, bottles, and containers.
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Support refill shops and bulk purchase systems.
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Phase out single-use packaging via local agreements.
3. Food Waste Solutions
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Establish food banks to capture surplus from restaurants and wholesale markets.
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Train households on portion control and preservation.
4. Resource Recovery & Energy Generation
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Install bio-digesters and compost plants in wholesale markets like Karwan Bazar.
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Harness organic waste to generate 200–250 MW of electricity (ADB, 2021).
5. Digital Innovation
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Deploy apps, SMS alerts, and digital wallets for efficient waste collection.
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Provide household incentives for segregation and responsible disposal.
Toward a National Recycling Authority
World Cleanup Day 2025 should be the moment to launch a strategic, phased action plan—a roadmap that could culminate in the establishment of a National Recycling Authority.
Such a shift would not only streamline governance but also:
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Transform waste into value through circular economy models.
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Create dignified jobs in recycling, composting, and energy recovery.
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Improve public health by reducing exposure to contaminated waste.
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Position Dhaka globally as a pioneer in urban resilience.
A Call to Action
Dhaka’s waste crisis is solvable. With leadership, innovation, and collaboration, the city can unlock waste as a resource—building a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient future.
On World Cleanup Day 2025, the time is ripe to move beyond short-term fixes and embrace systemic transformation.
Author
Rashed Jia Rana
Research and Knowledge Management Coordinator, YOUCAN and Member of United Nations Youth Advisory Group Bangladesh