Environment Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury has outlined the government's efforts to convert the nation's waste into valuable resources.

During a meeting with a delegation from the United States Agency for International Development and Dhaka CALLING at the Secretariat on Thursday, the minister revealed plans for a project focused on producing fertilizer from waste.

He emphasized that by 2025, various sectors in the country are projected to generate approximately 50,000 tons of waste daily. The government, in collaboration with private entities, intends to harness this waste to produce fertilizer, reducing the need for fertilizer imports and thereby saving significant foreign exchange.

Highlighting the importance of waste management, Saber noted that the formulation of a national waste management framework has been prioritized as part of the ministry’s 100-day program.

Additionally, the minister expressed concern over waste management at the Savar tannery estate, citing the presence of chromium in the waste as a serious health hazard. He indicated plans to address this issue through discussions with the industries ministry.

Furthermore, Saber discussed the prohibition of plastic filters in cigarettes with a delegation from the NGO PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) during a meeting in his office.