Plastic pollution awareness, clean-up campaign held at Kamalapur Railway Station

Around 50–60 tonnes of waste, much of it comprising food packaging, plastic bags, snack packets and other single-use plastics, were collected during a clean-up campaign at Kamalapur Railway Station in Dhaka on 14 August.

More than 350 volunteers and sanitation workers from BD Clean and Dhaka City Corporation joined the campaign, alongside government officials, project representatives and railway authorities, according to a press release.

A discussion session on sustainable plastic use and effective plastic waste management was also held as part of the programme.

The event was implemented under the Department of Environment's project titled "Integrated Approach Towards Sustainable Plastics Use and Marine Litter Prevention in Bangladesh".

The project is being implemented with technical assistance from the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and financial support from the Royal Embassy of Norway.

Department of Environment Director (Laboratory) Mohammed Solaiman Haider attended the programme as chief guest.

Department of Environment Deputy Director and Project Director Dr Abdullah Al Mamun; UNIDO Bangladesh National Expert Md Mahobul Islam; BD Clean Senior Coordinators Champa Akter and Masudur Rahman; and Kamalapur Railway Station Station Master Md Anwar Hossain were also present.

The programme was organised in two sessions. BD Clean volunteers began the clean-up operation at 9am, followed by a discussion near the VIP Gate inside the station.

Addressing the gathering, Mohammed Solaiman Haider thanked the organisers, volunteers and young participants for their involvement.

He said cleanliness initiatives should begin not only at major public places such as Kamalapur Railway Station but also at schools, homes, workplaces and within communities.

Collective action could make it possible to build a clean country, he said.

Haider warned that the indiscriminate disposal of plastics and other solid waste could clog drainage systems, pollute rivers and waterways and eventually carry waste into the sea, threatening marine ecosystems and the food chain.

He also linked blocked drainage systems to waterlogging and flooding.

Highlighting Kamalapur's importance as a major transport hub, Haider said maintaining cleanliness at the station could help promote responsible waste-management practices across the country.

He called for the proper segregation, collection and recycling of waste and stressed the need to continue awareness and clean-up activities regularly.

Dr Abdullah Al Mamun thanked the railway authorities for their cooperation and said cleanliness should be regarded as an essential part of public health, well-being and quality of life.

He said cleanliness must become part of people's everyday attitudes and behaviour.

Mamun said this was the fourth such clean-up initiative at Kamalapur Railway Station, following similar activities in 2018, 2019 and 2020.

He expressed hope that continued collaboration among UNIDO, BD Clean and the railway authorities would further improve the station's environment and increase public awareness.

He also urged everyone to follow the principle: "Let cleanliness begin with me."

Md Mahobul Islam highlighted Kamalapur Railway Station's strategic role as a major gateway connecting Dhaka with different parts of the country.

He urged the railway authorities to strengthen environmental awareness through regular announcements on station platforms and inside trains.

Islam also called on the authorities to encourage passengers to use designated waste-disposal points and ensure the proper management and recycling of collected waste.

Champa Akter said the large number of passengers using the station each day provided an important opportunity to promote responsible waste disposal.

She said a clean station with adequate bins and proper disposal practices could encourage passengers to adopt similar habits in their communities.

Md Anwar Hossain said Bangladesh Railway was implementing its "Clean Bangladesh, Clean Railway" initiative.

He said food packaging, plastic bottles and other waste generated by passengers remained a challenge when discarded outside designated bins.

Hossain called for continued awareness activities to encourage responsible behaviour among passengers.

The speakers said effective plastic waste management required coordinated efforts from government agencies, railway authorities, development partners, environmental organisations, volunteers and citizens.

They identified waste reduction, segregation at source, proper disposal, reuse, recycling and sustained public awareness as key priorities.

During the clean-up operation, BD Clean volunteers and city corporation sanitation workers cleared areas around the railway platforms and along both sides and the central sections of the railway tracks.

The campaign highlighted the potential of major public transport hubs to serve as platforms for environmental awareness and responsible waste management.

It also encouraged citizens to make cleanliness and sustainable plastic use part of their everyday lives.