United News of Bangladesh

A meeting was held between Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) and Korea-based private firm B & F Company to modernize waste management and implement the government’s “Clean City and Green City” initiative. The discussion took place on Thursday at Nagar Bhaban between DSCC Administrator Md Abdus Salam Bir Muktijoddha, and a technical team from the company. During the meeting, the Korean firm presented a detailed master plan for constructing the **Dhaka Resource Circulation Park (DRCP)** at the Matuail landfill. DSCC administrator prioritises honour and rights of Freedom Fighters Officials said DSCC generates around 3,200–3,500 tonnes of waste daily across its 109.24 sq km jurisdiction. Ensuring full-scale waste management services has become a major challenge due to rapid urbanisation, population growth, and limited manpower and budget. To address the challenge, the government has outlined four key initiatives in its election manifesto to improve waste management and control pollution: implementing the Circular Future Model, establishing regional Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs), promoting the 3R principle—Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, and generating energy from waste. DSCC has already signed an agreement with the Korean company to implement these goals. According to the proposed master plan, landfill gas will be extracted from 100 acres of old landfill area at Matuail. Using modern technology, the project aims to collect about 15,000 tonnes of methane annually, which could generate 81,000 megawatt-hours of electricity, while solar energy could produce an additional 28,000 megawatt-hours. A pilot Material Recovery Facility (MRF) will process 300 tonnes of household waste daily to produce biogas, compost, biofuel, eco-bricks, Black Soldier Flies (BSF) and Solid Refuse Fuel (SRF). Once implemented, the project is expected to reduce around 515,000 tonnes of carbon emissions (tCO2e) annually, playing a significant role in mitigating global warming and addressing climate change risks. Officials said if the pilot project proves successful, it will enable DSCC to convert the entire daily waste output of 3,200–3,500 tonnes into valuable resources, contributing to economic growth and helping transform Dhaka into a clean and green city. Senior officials of DSCC and members of the Korean technical delegation were present at the meeting.

Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Saturday said burning of waste is strictly prohibited under any circumstances including at landfills such as the Matuail Sanitary Landfill in the capital. “Whether at Matuail or elsewhere, waste must not be burned. This practice poses a serious risk to public health and the environment,” she told reporters after visiting the landfill site in Dhaka. The adviser also said two nearby steel mills will be ordered to shut down adding that the burning of batteries or the extraction of lead from batteries is not permitted. “The Department of Environment has already taken action against battery factories and more action will be taken if new complaints come,” she said. Rizwana said various initiatives will be taken to safeguard the health and wellbeing of people living near landfill areas. Dhaka advocates for corporate accountability, environmental justice She said air pollution in Dhaka has reached alarming levels and poses a major health hazard. “Alongside government efforts, we will strengthen public awareness campaigns and impose fines on those violating environmental rules,” she added. The adviser visited several air pollution-prone areas under Dhaka South and North City Corporations, including Matuail Sanitary Landfill, Samadnagar in Jatrabari, Narsingdi Road, Chittagong Road, Kachpur, and Sharifpara. During her visits, she reviewed pollution control measures and spoke with local residents many of whom complained of respiratory and other health issues linked to the poor air quality.