Vice-Chancellor of Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET), Professor Dr. Mahmud Abdul Matin Bhuiyan, has warned that plastic pollution poses a serious threat to future generations. “Plastic is not only harmful to us but also to the generations to come. It obstructs drainage systems, causing waterlogging, and endangers both human and animal health. If we fail to control plastic usage, it will become a significant barrier to building a sustainable future,” he stated.
He made these remarks as the chief guest at the official launch of a month-long experimental phase of the SCIP Plastics Project at CUET. The event, held at CUET’s basketball ground on Monday, aims to evaluate the usability of jute bags as an alternative to plastic bags. Also present at the event were Professor Dr. Mocha Farzana Rahman Juthi, Scientific Director of the SCIP Plastics Project, and Professor Dr. Asiful Haque, Scientific Specialist.
Representing the project from Germany’s Bauhaus University were two German delegates, Senta Rosemary Berner and Philipp Lorber, the Scientific Coordinator of the SCIP Plastics Project.
The initiative saw enthusiastic participation from students, faculty members, and staff, who engaged in friendly sports matches and received jute bags as gifts to encourage eco-friendly habits. During the month-long trial phase, participants will be encouraged to reuse the jute bags and share their experiences on a designated social media page, allowing them to earn discount coupons.
As part of this initiative, selected shops on the CUET campus will offer jute bags for purchase. Students who upload pictures of themselves reusing these bags on specified social media platforms will have the chance to receive rewards in the form of discount coupons. This effort is expected to foster sustainable habits while contributing to plastic waste reduction. Earlier, the project conducted assessments of plastic waste generation in CUET’s residential halls and surrounding areas.
Additionally, awareness campaigns have been carried out among school and university faculty members, staff, and students. As a continuation of these efforts, the project has now launched this initiative to inspire the use of jute bags as an alternative to plastic bags. The ongoing experimental phase is expected to serve as an effective pilot model in evaluating the feasibility of jute bags as a plastic substitute, significantly contributing to environmental awareness within the CUET community.
The SCIP Plastics Project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety (BMUV).
