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Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mia has said Bangladesh has the potential to develop a large recycling industry by harnessing public interest in collecting plastic waste.
Calling on entrepreneurs to invest in the sector, he stressed that proper plastic waste management and recycling must ensure environmental protection and public health.
He made the remarks on Monday, October 26, at a ceremony to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Chattogram district administration and IPDSA Waste Management Enterprise at the deputy commissioner’s conference room.
Under the agreement, plastic waste collected from students at Chattogram Zoo will be regularly collected and recycled.
The deputy commissioner said more than 400 students had so far received free entry to the zoo by submitting discarded plastic. The district administration launched the initiative in September to raise awareness among children and adolescents about plastic pollution.
Although the regular entry fee is Tk 70, students aged below 18 can enter the zoo free of charge by bringing 100 grammes of used plastic.
Zahidul Islam said he had received calls from people in different areas expressing interest in collecting plastic after learning about the zoo’s initiative. They also wanted to know how the collected waste could be recycled.
However, the lack of sufficient recycling facilities in the country remains a challenge, he said.
“If everyone genuinely collects plastic waste, I believe this could become a major industry in the future,” he said.
Under the MoU, IPDSA Waste Management Enterprise will be responsible for regularly collecting, sorting and recycling the plastic deposited at the zoo through environmentally friendly processes. No financial transaction will take place between the district administration and the organisation under the agreement, which will initially remain effective for one year.
Additional Deputy Commissioner for Education and ICT and Vice-Chairman of the Chattogram Zoo Executive Committee Pathan Md Saiduzzaman signed the agreement on behalf of the district administration. Palash Kumar Chowdhury, director (finance) of IPDSA, signed on behalf of the organisation.
Explaining the initiative’s objectives, the deputy commissioner said many students might be able to afford the entry fee, but bringing plastic waste to the zoo encourages them to reflect on its harmful effects on the environment and society.
“The main objective is to develop a sense of responsibility for environmental protection among the next generation,” he said, adding that although the MoU was limited in scope, its potential impact was significant.
Acknowledging the practical difficulties of completely eliminating plastic use, Zahidul Islam called for proper waste management, recycling and safe disposal. He also stressed the need to increase the use of natural materials, including jute.
Welcoming IPDSA’s involvement, he urged the organisation and other private institutions to expand similar initiatives beyond the zoo and encourage people to collect and manage plastic waste responsibly.
The deputy commissioner also announced plans to plant around 150 coconut trees at the zoo to make it greener and more attractive.
He said the zoo housed a variety of animals, including white tigers, and had expanded its collection through animal exchanges, bringing in species that were not previously available there.
Urging students to visit the zoo, he said children should have opportunities to observe animals and birds and learn about nature and biodiversity.
He also encouraged them to spend less time looking at mobile phone screens and enjoy real-life experiences in nature, seeking media support to spread the message among students and parents.
Additional Deputy Commissioners Md Sharif Uddin (general), Md Kamruzzaman (land acquisition) and Sakhawat Jamil Saikat (revenue), along with officials from the district administration and IPDSA, attended the ceremony.