In a world grappling with environmental degradation, climate change, and resource depletion, the need for collective action to protect our planet has never been more urgent. While large-scale initiatives and policy changes are essential, the power of individual actions and community-driven efforts cannot be underestimated. Consider the plastic water bottle casually tossed into a bin instead of a recycling unit. It seems insignificant until you multiply it by millions of similar choices made daily across a city. Now imagine those millions of bottles being properly recycled or, better yet, replaced by reusable containers. The impact would be staggering. This is the fundamental premise of "Small Actions, Big Changes" - that the road to a cleaner, healthier metropolis is paved not with grand, sweeping reforms alone but with countless tiny, conscious decisions made by ordinary citizens. These convictions, however, could potentially have more transformative impacts on the urban centers of a country with a significant population, such as Bangladesh. Therefore, this article aims to reshape the narratives for a more sustainable city in Bangladesh, focusing particularly on Chattogram.With its strategic position as a port city and economic gateway, Chattogram brings both progress and environmental challenges that demand immediate attention. The familiar sights of plastic-strewn canals, clogged drains during monsoon, and the gradual disappearance of green spaces tell a story we can no longer ignore.
What makes Chattogram's situation particularly fragile is its topography and natural hydrological network. Additionally, the city's population boom, fueled by rural-urban migration in search of jobs and better living standards, is placing significant strain on its overall urban landscape. According to reports, Chattogram generates nearly 3,500 tons of solid waste each day, of which only around 2,000 tons are collected by the Chattogram City Corporation (CCC). The rest often ends up in drains, canals, roadsides, and eventually in the rivers. This uncollected waste not only mars the aesthetics of the city but directly contributes to waterlogging, flooding, and health hazards. The scenario is made even worse by the lack of awareness and engagement among the general population. Dumping waste into open spaces or canals is still seen as a common practice, often due to limited alternatives, but also because of poor civic education. Consequently, the current government efforts to preserve the ecological equilibrium, such as "36 Canal Restoration Project in Chattogram City" frequently experience unexpected clogging issues, resulting in suboptimal daily health practices among residents of the city. Yet, amid these grim challenges lies an opportunity for a cleaner, more resilient Chattogram - a transformation that hinges not only on government-led mega projects but also on individual and community-driven action. While such top-down projects are essential, they must be complemented by bottom-up initiatives - by citizens, students, communities, and local businesses. These aren't hypothetical scenarios-cities around the world have demonstrated the power of collective small actions. Indore in India transformed itself from one of the dirtiest to the cleanest city by investing in decentralized waste collection, citizen engagement, and strict monitoring. Rwanda banned plastic bags altogether and organizes monthly national clean-up drives where even government officials participate. Singapore's "Clean and Green" campaigns rely heavily on civic education and strict enforcement. What's common in all these examples is individual consciousness, consistent leadership, community involvement, and a shared sense of responsibility.
The awareness for a cleaner metropolis always begins with personal consciousness; it's you that matters first. Imagine if every person in Chattogram simply stopped throwing trash on the streets - our drainage systems would function better, our rivers would flow cleaner, and our public spaces would become more inviting. Simple individual acts like carrying a reusable water bottle could eliminate thousands of plastic bottles from our waste stream each day. The humble practice of keeping a small trash bag in vehicles instead of tossing waste out windows could dramatically reduce roadside litter. Even the basic discipline of waiting to find a proper bin rather than dropping trash elsewhere would transform our urban landscape. The psychological dimension of this transformation cannot be overstated. Human behavior is profoundly influenced by social norms - we tend to do what we see others doing. When sustainable practices become visible and common, they create a positive ripple effect. For example, a shopkeeper who sees customers consistently refusing plastic bags may switch to paper alternatives. In fact, the practice of environmental stewardship starts at home. One simple yet transformative step is household-level trash segregation. If every household in Chattogram is provided with three color-coded bins - one for organic waste, one for recyclables (plastic, glass, metal), and one for residual waste - a significant portion of the waste can be composted or recycled rather than ending up in canals or landfills. To support this, CCC may introduce door-to-door waste collection for each category on designated days, using clearly labeled vehicles. Likewise, a neighborhood where several homes maintain beautiful gardens inspires others to green their spaces. This social contagion of positive environmental behaviors represents our most powerful tool for bringing about change across communities.
What makes Chattogram's situation particularly fragile is its topography
and natural hydrological network. Additionally, the city's population
boom, fueled by rural-urban migration in search of jobs and better
living standards, is placing significant strain on its overall urban
landscape. According to reports, Chattogram generates nearly 3,500 tons
of solid waste each day, of which only around 2,000 tons are collected
by the Chattogram City Corporation (CCC). The rest often ends up in
drains, canals, roadsides, and eventually in the rivers.
Community-led initiatives often proved to be most impactful as these amplify individual efforts exponentially. Neighborhood clean-up drives not only improve immediate surroundings but foster pride and connection among residents.The success of similar movements in other cities proves their effectiveness - from the beach clean-ups in Cox's Bazar to the waste segregation programs in parts of Dhaka. Furthermore, composting programs at the community level couldturn waste into a resource while bringing people together around a common cause. Initiatives like this not only reduce waste volume but create green jobs for unemployed youth and promote urban agriculture. Religious and community leaders can also play pivotal roles in shifting norms and interpreting city-cleanup directives at the grassroots. Community centers that hold recycling classes, temples that organize clean-up drives, and mosques that incorporate environmental stewardship in Friday sermons, all contribute to the mainstreaming of sustainable practices. However, many of which are supported by the policy level guidance and transmitted through the local government machinery. Therefore, to achieve long-term cleanliness and sustainability in Chattogram, the approach of local government (CCC) is multifaceted- especially, one that combines public awareness, infrastructure, regulation, and innovation. For example, plastic-free movement at the ward level, local grocery stores and shopping malls could be encouraged or incentivized to stop offering single-use plastic bags. Instead, cloth or jute bags - widely available and affordable - can be promoted. Businesses, too, have a critical role to play. CCC may create a certification system - a green rating for environmentally responsible businesses. Simple practices like waste segregation in school cafeterias, tree-planting initiatives, and student-led awareness campaigns create habits that last lifetimes. Celebrating a monthly "Clean Chattogram Day" - where the entire city participates in cleaning their streets, offices, and markets - can build a culture of collective action and civic pride. The young minds of Chattogram today will be the policymakers, business leaders, and community organizers of tomorrow - their environmental consciousness will shape our city's future.
In addition to regulation, digital technology and social media campaigns can play a game-changing role. A "Smart Chattogram" mobile application can be introduced where citizens can report illegal dumping, overflowing drains, or uncollected waste. The app can use GPS and photos to pinpoint locations, enabling faster response from municipal teams. Over time, the collected data can help city planners identify problem hotspots and plan better interventions. Installing CCTV cameras in known dumping zones can deter illegal activities. Similarly, the garment and ship-breaking industries of Chattogram, which contribute significantly to industrial pollution, can be brought under stricter monitoring through digital waste tracking and compliance tools. Government initiatives can create enabling environments for these grassroots efforts. While policy changes like plastic bans or waste management regulations and provisions are crucial, their success depends on citizen participation. Introducing environmental education as a mandatory subject in schools can shape future generations where teachers can also be trained to deliver practical knowledge about waste, water, and sustainability. University students can be involved in research and innovation challenges, where they propose tech-based or policy-based solutions for local environmental problems. At a national level, 'National Clean City Act' can be enacted to mandate cleanliness standards, penalize violators, and allocate dedicated funds for urban waste management. Green bonds and CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) funding from local industries and national/international NGOs can be channeled through government machinery into the city-level environmental programs.
A cleaner Chattogram begins not with some distant, abstract plan, but with the concrete actions we each take today. It is a shared responsibility - of policymakers, residents, educators, students, business leaders, and civil society. Every small act counts. A child picking up a candy wrapper, a shopkeeper refusing a plastic bag, a resident sorting their waste, or a student planting a tree - these actions collectively weave the fabric of a cleaner, greener city. Our city's future will be written by the small choices we make in our daily lives. Let's write a story of renewal, of responsibility, of a Chattogram that shines as a model of sustainable urban living. The power to create this future lies not in some external savior, but in the hands of each person who calls this vibrant city home. Small actions, indeed, lead to big changes.
The writer is Project Director, Re-excavation, Renovation, Expansion and Development of Khals for Mitigating Waterlogging Problems in Chattogram City
