Published: 09:12 AM, 29 September 2026
People Who Dump Waste Goods on Streets Should Be Penalized
Bangladesh's cities are drowning in a problem that is both preventable and embarrassing: people casually throwing waste onto roads, sidewalks, drains, waterways and vacant land. Plastic bags, food containers, bottles, cigarette packets and household garbage can be seen scattered across public spaces. The practice has become so common that many citizens appear to regard streets and open spaces as extensions of their private garbage bins.
This behavior is not merely an aesthetic problem. Uncollected waste blocks drains, contributes to waterlogging, pollutes rivers and canals, creates breeding grounds for insects and rodents, and increases the risk of disease. Plastic waste is particularly damaging because it can remain in the environment for decades and eventually enter waterways and agricultural land.
Dhaka faces the problem on an especially large scale. During heavy monsoon rains, discarded plastic and other rubbish can obstruct drainage systems and aggravate waterlogging. A city cannot maintain an effective waste-management system if residents continually dispose of garbage wherever they please.
Municipal authorities have a responsibility to provide adequate waste-collection services, public bins and convenient disposal facilities. But citizens also have responsibilities. Clean streets cannot be created solely by cleaners working for city corporations. Public cooperation is essential.
Bangladesh should therefore strengthen enforcement against deliberate littering in public places. People caught throwing waste on streets, sidewalks, parks, drains or waterways should face meaningful and consistently enforced penalties. Fines could be scaled according to the seriousness of the offense, while repeat offenders could face progressively stronger sanctions.
Enforcement, however, should not become arbitrary. Clear rules, visible signs, designated disposal points and transparent procedures are necessary. Authorities should also ensure that citizens have reasonable access to waste-disposal facilities before imposing penalties.
Schools, universities, businesses and community organizations can play an important role in changing public behavior. Environmental education should teach children that keeping public spaces clean is a civic responsibility, not simply the job of municipal workers. Businesses should also be encouraged to reduce unnecessary packaging and participate in responsible waste collection. Restaurants, shopping centers and markets can provide clearly marked bins and help customers dispose of waste properly.
