Cox's Bazar beach clean-up removes 1,168 kg of waste in three days

A three-day coastal clean-up campaign in Cox's Bazar successfully removed over 1,168 kilograms of waste from the beach. Organised by UNDP Bangladesh, the initiative ran from March 24 to 26 and involved government officials, volunteers, and local partners. The effort combined large-scale waste collection with public awareness to address post-festival pollution.

The campaign kicked off at Sugandha Beach Point with strong participation from local authorities, UNDP representatives, and community volunteers. Over the three days, teams collected 173 bags and sacks of waste, including 118 bags—weighing more than 835 kilograms—from a one-kilometre stretch between Sugandha and Kolatoli on the final day.

Public engagement played a key role in the initiative. More than 3,500 tourists took part directly, while awareness activities reached an estimated 20,000 visitors each day. The campaign stressed responsible waste disposal, with Md Shamim Al Imran, administrator of Cox's Bazar municipality, urging people to use proper bins. UNDP Bangladesh's assistant resident representative, Sarder M Asaduzzaman, explained that the Plastics Circularity Project aims to boost waste collection, recycling, and safe disposal. Deputy commissioner Md A Mannan also called for collective action to maintain the beach's cleanliness and safety. The campaign received support from The Coca-Cola Foundation and local partners, reinforcing efforts to tackle plastic pollution along the coast.

The clean-up removed a significant amount of waste and engaged thousands of tourists in responsible disposal practices. UNDP's Plastics Circularity Project plans to continue similar initiatives, with another post-Eid awareness campaign scheduled for Cox's Bazar in March 2026.