Cox's Bazar beach clean-up removes 1,168 kg of waste in three days
A three-day beach clean-up campaign in Cox's Bazar has removed over 1,168 kilograms of waste from the coastline. Organised by UNDP Bangladesh, the effort ran from March 24 to 26 with support from The Coca-Cola Foundation and local partners. Government officials, volunteers, and tourists joined forces to tackle post-festival pollution and promote responsible waste disposal. The campaign kicked off at Sugandha Beach Point, bringing together local authorities, UNDP representatives, and community members. Over three days, teams collected 173 bags and sacks of rubbish, with the final day alone yielding 118 bags weighing more than 835 kilograms. A one-kilometre stretch between Sugandha and Kolatoli was cleared as part of the drive.
The initiative went beyond cleaning, focusing heavily on public awareness. More than 3,500 tourists took part directly, while over 20,000 were reached daily through outreach activities. Md Shamim Al Imran, Cox's Bazar municipality administrator, stressed the need for proper waste disposal, while deputy commissioner Md A Mannan called for collective action to maintain a clean and safe beach.
Sarder M Asaduzzaman, UNDP Bangladesh's assistant resident representative, explained the campaign's link to the Plastics Circularity Project. The project aims to improve waste collection, recycling, and responsible disposal across the region. By combining clean-up efforts with education, the campaign sought to shift behaviour and reduce long-term pollution. The campaign successfully removed a significant amount of waste while engaging thousands of tourists and volunteers. Its mix of clean-up operations, public education, and stakeholder collaboration sets a model for future environmental efforts in Cox's Bazar. Officials have signalled plans to build on this momentum for ongoing waste management improvements.
