SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN DHAKA CITY: EVALUATING CURRENT PRACTICES AND FUTURE PROSPECTS

Dhaka is one of the most populous and rapidly growing cities in the world, facing significant challenges with solid waste disposal. It has a strained waste management system because each day, the amount of trash generated exceeds 6,800 tons due to insufficient infrastructure, poor coordination, and a lack of citizen participation. This paper evaluates the current solid waste management practices in Dhaka, focusing on collection, transportation, treatment, and disposal methods. A mixed-methods approach is used in the study, combining municipal statistics, household surveys, field observations, and key informant interviews to identify system-related issues such as inadequate waste separation, low recycling rates, and high reliance on landfills. The informal sector plays a key role in waste recovery but remains neither recognized nor supported officially. Financial and institutional challenges also limit the quality of services and innovation. Despite these constraints, the paper highlights new opportunities, including decentralized composting, community-based initiatives, and the potential for technology-driven improvements. The findings emphasize the need for a joint, multi-stakeholder plan that includes policy reform, capacity building, and investment in environmentally friendly infrastructure. To improve their chances of long-term success, efforts should focus on increasing public awareness and formalizing the inclusion of informal workers. This paper contributes to the discussion on urban environmental governance in South Asia and offers practical suggestions for developing a more effective and equitable waste management system in Dhaka.