From free entry to recycling: Zoo puts students’ plastic waste to use Plastic waste deposited by students in exchange for free entry to Chattogram Zoo is now being sent for recycling.
The district administration today launched the handover programme alongside a clean-up and mosquito-control drive at the zoo and an adjoining hill stream.
Introduced by Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mian, the free-entry scheme allows students aged up to 18 to visit the zoo by depositing 100 grams of plastic waste. A regular ticket costs Tk 70.
Zahid said the initiative aims to encourage environmental responsibility among children and adolescents. The district administration has signed a memorandum of understanding with Epsa Waste Management Enterprise to recycle the collected waste.
Chattogram City Corporation and Epsa supported the programme.
Speaking as chief guest, City Corporation Administrator Dr Shahadat Hossain said keeping the city clean requires joint efforts by public agencies and residents.
He stressed the need to protect hill streams and natural water bodies around the zoo and Foy’s Lake from pollution. He also called for coordinated drives by the corporation and executive magistrates to keep roads and footpaths clear.
Shahadat urged residents to dispose of plastic containers, bottles and coconut shells properly and prevent stagnant water from collecting around their homes to curb mosquito breeding.
The corporation will add 20 compactor dump trucks from Japan to its waste management fleet, he said.
Zahid also outlined plans to bring zebras and crocodiles to the zoo, encouraging children to spend more time exploring nature.
Reviewing earlier clean-up efforts, he said a July 25 drive removed about 135 tonnes of waste from roughly 10 million square feet across more than 3,000 government buildings and institutions. Some 6,200 officials and employees and 2,295 educational institutions participated, he said.
Further drives covered Kazibari pond, Patenga beach and the Zia Memorial Complex, while cleanliness and awareness programmes reached around 2,000 mosques and 100 hotels and restaurants, he added.
Dengue prevention drives are continuing across different upazilas, Zahid said.
