SCC too introducing street bins

Following the two Dhaka city corporations, Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) has embarked on a similar project to install small trash bins in major points of the city.

SCC is installing the bins in a bid to reduce the amount of garbage on streets as part of its waste management initiative taken to keep the city neat and tidy, said an SCC official.

Since the start of the work early this month, some 21 bins have so far been installed in important areas including Chowhatta, Zindabazar, Nayasarak, and Bandarbazar.

SCC Chief Engineer (acting) Nur Azizur Rahman said, "The bins are being installed especially for pedestrians, as they are used to dumping garbage indiscriminately on the roads. They (bins) also help the city residents keep the garbage out of sight."

Although the city corporation is optimistic about the bins to be useful, a contradictory picture still remains as a major concern. Thousands of people are passing by the bins every day, but they are hardly seen putting their waste in the designated bins whereas the roads have already turned into a garbage destination in many areas.

Faruk Mahmud Chowdhury, president of the Sylhet chapter of Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan), said, "This is a commendable initiative of SCC, but simultaneously the city dwellers should be made aware and encouraged to make use of them."

"SCC and the councillors of respective areas should take awareness building programmes among the people to use the bins and keep the city clean," he stressed.

Enamul Habib, SCC Chief Executive Officer, said, "Initially we have installed 21 bins, and we have a plan to expand the number, encompassing the city's every road."

"We put instructions for using the bins on their bodies and will run an awareness building programme once we finish installing such bins in the whole city," added Enamul.