Nearly 400 Join Clean-Up and Public Awareness Campaign to Combat Plastic Pollution in Companiganj
Nearly 400 people participated in a clean-up and public awareness campaign in Companiganj, Noakhali, aimed at preventing plastic pollution, protecting water bodies and the local environment, and promoting responsible waste management.
The campaign was organised under the “Integrated Approach Towards Sustainable Plastics Use and Marine Litter Prevention in Bangladesh” project, jointly implemented by the Department of Environment (DoE), Government of Bangladesh, and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), with financial support from the Government of Norway.
Local administration officials, students, young volunteers, social organizations, businesspeople, representatives of business associations, members of BD Clean and people from different walks of life participated in the campaign.
Muhammad Fakrul Islam, MP, Honourable Member of Parliament for Noakhali-5 (Companiganj and Kabirhat), attended the event as Chief Guest, while Musammat Shaokat Ara Koli, Deputy Director, Department of Environment, Noakhali, attended as Special Guest.
Also present were Dr Mohammad Mohinuzzaman, Chairman and Professor, Department of Environmental Science and Disaster Management, Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU); Dr Abdullah Al Mamun, Project Director and Deputy Director, Department of Environment; Gubair Bin Arafat, National Specialist, UNIDO Bangladesh; Md Nurul Alam Sikder, former Convener of Companiganj and member of Noakhali BNP; Md Abdul Matin Liton, Convener of Pourashava BNP and President of the Business Association; Mohammad Nurul Hakim, Officer-in-Charge of Companiganj Police Station; and Md Sakhawat Hossain Nishad, representative of BD Clean, Companiganj.
The event was chaired by Md Masudur Rahman, Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Administrator, Companiganj, Noakhali.
In his welcome remarks, Dr Abdullah Al Mamun, Project Director and Deputy Director of the Department of Environment, highlighted the growing environmental challenges caused by climate change as well as the serious impacts of human-induced plastic pollution. He stressed the need for responsible behaviour and coordinated action at the individual, household, institutional and local levels to control plastic pollution.
Speaking on behalf of UNIDO Bangladesh, Gubair Bin Arafat, National Specialist, outlined the project’s activities and the objectives of the clean-up and public awareness campaign. He emphasised the importance of an integrated approach throughout the entire life cycle of plastics, from production and consumption to collection, reuse, recycling and final management. He also underscored behavioural change among local communities as a key prerequisite for sustainable plastic management.
Awareness videos on plastic waste management and biomedical waste management were also screened during the session.
The keynote presentation was delivered by Dr Mohammad Mohinuzzaman, Chairman and Professor of the Department of Environmental Science and Disaster Management at Noakhali Science and Technology University. Highlighting the adverse impacts of plastic pollution, he called on young people to take the lead in developing and promoting environmentally friendly alternatives to plastic products. He also emphasised the importance of research and innovation in finding sustainable solutions for environmental protection.
In her remarks, Musammat Shaokat Ara Koli, Deputy Director of the Department of Environment, Noakhali, urged all concerned to play a responsible role in controlling plastic pollution and protecting the environment.
During the experience-sharing session, Md Abdul Matin Liton, Md Nurul Alam Sikder, Mohammad Nurul Hakim, Officer-in-Charge of Companiganj Police Station, and Md Sakhawat Hossain Nishad, representative of BD Clean, along with other local stakeholders, shared their views on waste management, cleanliness and public awareness at the local level.
Addressing the gathering as Chief Guest, Muhammad Fakrul Islam, MP, said that government initiatives alone would not be sufficient to control plastic pollution and build a clean Companiganj. He called for collective efforts involving the local administration, business community, young people, volunteers and the general public.
He stressed that plastic pollution should not be viewed merely as a cleanliness issue, but as a major threat to canals, rivers, agricultural land, water bodies, coastal areas and the marine environment. He urged local residents not to dispose of waste and plastic indiscriminately or use canals and water bodies as dumping grounds.
The MP also called upon every citizen to fulfil their individual responsibility and encourage others to adopt environmentally responsible practices. He expressed optimism that a cleaner Companiganj and sustainable development could be achieved through sustained and collective efforts.
Following the discussion, Muhammad Fakrul Islam, MP, formally inaugurated the clean-up campaign. Under his leadership, a large-scale clean-up operation was subsequently conducted at the Basurhat Canal adjacent to Basurhat Bazar. Nearly 400 participants took part in removing accumulated plastic, polythene, packaging materials and other waste from the canal and surrounding areas.
At the same time, local businesspeople and residents were sensitised on the importance of preventing market-generated waste from entering canals, drains and other water bodies.
Through the project, DoE and UNIDO emphasised that the campaign was not intended as a one-day clean-up initiative, but as part of a broader effort to encourage lasting changes in waste disposal practices and promote responsible plastic waste management at the community level.
Participants also took an environmental cleanliness pledge, committing themselves to reducing plastic pollution, refraining from indiscriminate waste disposal and playing a responsible role in protecting coastal and marine ecosystems.
Guests, volunteers, businesspeople, students and representatives of the local community also signed the “Commitment Board for a Cleaner and Plastic-Free Bangladesh.”
The campaign highlighted the importance of continued collaboration among government institutions, elected representatives, the business community, educational institutions, young volunteers and local residents to sustain positive behavioural change and strengthen responsible waste management practices.
With the spontaneous participation of nearly 400 people, the initiative demonstrated the value of collective community action in tackling plastic pollution, protecting the environment and promoting more sustainable waste management practices in Companiganj.
