In a significant move toward enhancing solid waste management (SWM) practices in Bangladesh, SNV Netherlands Development Organization, in partnership with ITN BUET, organized a groundbreaking two-day workshop on October 26-27, 2025. Supported by the Department of Environment (DoE) the workshop sought to empower city officials from five municipalities (Kushtia, Lalmonirhat, Bagerhat, Chapanawabganj, Joypurhat) and three city corporations (Sylhet, Cumilla, and Gazipur) to design and implement practical, action-oriented Solid Waste Management plans aligned with the SWM Rule 2021.
A standout moment of the workshop was a session led by ITN BUET, where city officials from eight (8) cities engaged in discussions on leveraging innovative technology for urban waste management. The participants addressed key challenges across waste management chain, including collection, sorting, transportation, and final dumping. Participants also addressed the importance of strengthening local governance, ensuring cost-effectiveness, and enhancing efficiency in municipal waste services.
Dr. Abdullah Al Mamun, Deputy Director of Waste and Chemicals Management at the Department of Environment, delivered an informative session on the SWM Rule 2021. He outlined the Rule’s expectations for city authorities and provided guidance on its implementation. Through group discussions, participants identified compliance gaps and areas for improvement. The session concluded with a shared understanding of local compliance priorities and the formulation of preliminary action points to facilitate better waste governance.
The workshop also served as a knowledge-sharing platform, where cities exchanged practical experiences and innovations. Representatives from Sylhet city corporation, Kushtia, and Joypurhat municipality showcased their successful initiatives. Sylhet presented its framework for measuring waste service performance, Kushtia demonstrated its digital tracking and reporting systems, and Joypurhat shared its sustainable SWM business model. These insights showcased the significant role that technology and data-driven approaches can play in optimizing waste management operations.
At the end of the workshop, participants developed a draft outline of city-specific SWM action plans designed to address local waste challenges in line with the SWM Rule 2021. These plans include clear actions, quantifiable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and provisions for digital integration. Once validated, the finalized plans will be submitted to the Department of Environment by December 2025 for review and implementation.
The two-day event marked a crucial step toward operationalizing the SWM Rule 2021 and strengthening local capacity for urban waste management. Through this collaborative effort, SNV Bangladesh and ITN-BUET reaffirmed their commitment to supporting cities in advancing sustainable, inclusive, and technology-enabled waste management systems—paving the way toward cleaner and more resilient urban environments across Bangladesh.
