The Department of Environmental Science and Management (DESM) of Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) Bangladesh jointly organized a seminar titled “Beat Plastic Pollution” on June 29, 2025, at the IUB Multipurpose Hall to observe World Environment Day 2025.

The seminar addressed plastic pollution through expert dialogue and institutional collaboration and was attended by over 150 participants, including students, faculty, researchers, and representatives from government, non-government, and international organizations.

Prof. M. Tamim, Vice Chancellor of IUB, said Bangladesh dumped around 800 thousand tons of plastic into the ocean annually, warning that the global volume could surpass 500 billion tons in the next decade, with only 10 percent of plastic being recycled and the rest polluting the ocean. Urging students to act without delay, he mentioned IUB’s efforts to become a single-use plastic free campus and called on students to start immediately for a more sustainable Bangladesh. He cited the “Social Forestry Campaign” and encouraged leadership and innovation in finding alternative materials.

Dr. K. Ayaz Rabbani, Dean of the School of Environment and Life Sciences, underscored the optimistic belief that every challenge held the potential for a solution. He reinforced the school’s academic mission, focusing on research, teaching, and knowledge dissemination as essential pathways forward. He also urged students to actively participate in the ongoing dialogue and welcomed their ideas and contributions to be submitted to the university for consideration in shaping future initiatives.

Sudhir Muralidharan, Country Manager of UNOPS Bangladesh, said, “It is heartening to see young people here at this forum. We can discuss, but the action has to be taken by you [students]. To that end, we meet today and find a sustainable way forward.”

Khadem Mahmud Yusuf, CEO and Managing Director of Bangladesh Petrochemical Company Limited (BPCL), emphasized the pressing need for structured data systems in tackling plastic pollution. He said, “Formalization of data is important for beating plastic pollution.” He stressed that bridging the information gap – from grassroots sources to infrastructure – requires systematic data organization and the implementation of targeted programs.

The seminar also featured Aleksandra Radetic, Head of Programme (Acting), UNOPS South Asia Multi-Country Office; Bushra Nishat, Environmental Specialist, World Bank South Asia Region; Valentina Spinedi, Climate Programme Specialist, UNICEF Bangladesh; and Dr. Md. Hafizur Rahman, Head of DESM. The panel was moderated by Shaikh Muhammad Mehedi Ahsan, Adjunct Faculty at IUB and General Secretary of the Bangladesh Institute of Planners.

Discussions covered circular economy models, weak enforcement of waste policies, health risks posed by microplastics, use of digital waste tracking tools, and grassroots recycling efforts. Speakers encouraged students to continue innovation in areas such as bioplastics and sustainable packaging.

The seminar initiated a strategic dialogue between IUB and BPCL to explore collaboration on training, research, and internships. A proposed academic module titled “Sustainable Plastic Solutions: Theory to Practice” was introduced for integration into the DESM curriculum, combining instruction, fieldwork, and applied research, with input from participating institutions.

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