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Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), in collaboration with Bidyanondo Foundation, has launched a “Waste-for-Goods Market” initiative to promote proper waste disposal, encourage public participation in keeping the city clean and support marginalised communities.
DSCC Administrator Abdus Salam inaugurated the initiative on Monday at a field adjacent to Hazaribagh slum. Following the launch, local residents exchanged collected waste for essential items such as rice, lentils, edible oil, salt, potatoes and tissue at temporary stalls.
Addressing the programme, Salam said active citizen participation was essential to building a clean city. He noted that dumping plastic and other waste into drains and sewers obstructs water flow, contributing to waterlogging and environmental pollution.
He said the awareness initiative would be expanded across the city, with a permanent stall planned in Gulistan within a week and one in each DSCC ward within the next three to four months.
A “Food-for-Books” programme will also be introduced at selected Secondary Transfer Stations, providing books and reading spaces for street children.
Bidyanondo Foundation Executive Director Jamal Uddin said the initiative would make marginalised communities partners in keeping the city clean rather than simply recipients of assistance. He said the foundation had earned nearly Tk 1 crore from selling plastic waste over the past two years, with the proceeds potentially funding meals for around 400,000 people.
The organisers have set a target of collecting around 100,000 kg of waste through 100 mobile campaigns over the next year.
DSCC Chief Waste Management Officer Air Commodore Md Mahbubur Rahman Talukder, senior city corporation officials and Bidyanondo Foundation volunteers attended the programme.