CARE Bangladesh today inaugurated the Waste Cafe initiative under its Green Enterprise (GE+) project, an innovative initiative designed to encourage responsible waste management by turning waste into opportunities. The event was held at Camp 15 in Ukhiya Upazila and brought together representatives from the Office of the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC), World Food Programme (WFP), NGO Platform Cox’s Bazar, Association for Mass Advancement Network (AMAN), EasySense, development partners, media, and Rohingya community members under one umbrella.
The event was graced by Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (Additional Secretary) at the Office of the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner, as the Chief Guest. Md. Munibur Rahman, Camp-in-Charge (Senior Assistant Secretary) of Camp-14 and Camp-15, and Ram Das, Country Director, CARE Bangladesh, also honoured the event with their presence as special guests.
The event began with a vibrant roadshow in which camp community members, youth volunteers, and CARE Bangladesh staff marched to raise awareness of waste segregation, recycling, and the importance of collective action in building cleaner, healthier communities. The roadshow ended at the Waste Cafe site, where the Chief Guest and Special Guests formally inaugurated the facility through a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
In his welcome speech, Ram Das said, “I am encouraged and humbled to witness such an innovative initiative. It comes at a crucial time, and I am hopeful that through our collective efforts, we can take it to a larger scale in the days ahead.”
Following the welcome speech, the event featured an introduction to the Waste Cafe initiative, in which participants learned how the cafe will serve as a space for camp residents to bring household and camp waste and exchange it for snacks and essential services.
The cafe also houses a knowledge corner, providing young people in the camp with a safe space to read and learn while enjoying the service. To enhance transparency and engagement, a dedicated website (Waste Cafe Website) was also launched where visitors can explore the cafe’s daily achievements and ongoing impact.
The event then proceeded with a guided tour of the Waste Cafe, where participants explored its features, including the different service counters, the knowledge corner, the day-to-day operational process and the role community volunteers will play in running the cafe, gaining firsthand insight into how the initiative can transform everyday waste into valuable resources for community benefit and environmental stewardship.
Echoing the importance of the initiative, the honourable chief guest, Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, emphasised, “Not only are camp residents suffering from inadequate waste management, but mismanaged waste is also making the surrounding lands uncultivable, while plastic waste is especially harmful to the environment. To make this initiative successful, the support of the community—particularly young people—will be essential.”
The event concluded with the unveiling of the Waste Cafe logo by the Chief Guest. Through the Waste Cafe, CARE Bangladesh aims to demonstrate that waste holds value when managed responsibly and can serve as a catalyst for circular economy practices, contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable community.
Cox’s Bazar Life Report
Photo: Courtesy
