Amid growing concerns over environmental degradation and waste mismanagement across the developing world, a quiet but powerful movement is transforming the landscape of cleanliness and civic responsibility in Bangladesh. What began as a humble street-cleaning initiative in the capital’s Shahbagh neighborhood in 2016 has now evolved into a nationwide youth-led volunteer organization known as BD Clean—arguably one of South Asia’s most effective grassroots cleanliness campaigns.
A Friday Ritual of Civic Action
BD Clean operates on a simple yet revolutionary principle: cleaning one place every Friday while educating nearby residents about the importance of waste disposal and environmental responsibility. What makes this initiative exceptional is that it functions completely through volunteerism, with over 44,000 active members across all 12 city corporations, 60 districts, and several public universities in Bangladesh.
“Cleanliness is not just the government’s responsibility—it’s ours,” reads one of their slogans. This message, carried in the hands of thousands of young volunteers wielding gloves and garbage bags, is reshaping public consciousness in neighborhoods often forgotten by formal waste services.
From ‘Dhaka Clean’ to BD Clean: A National Phenomenon
Founded by Farid Uddin and his friends on June 3, 2016, the initiative started under the name “Dhaka Clean,” and quickly garnered attention for its organized and passionate community-driven operations. Within a year, it rebranded as BD Clean, with a broader mission to turn the entire country into a cleaner, greener, and more aware society.
Their Friday drives are not only focused on physically removing garbage but are also structured community-awareness sessions. Volunteers engage with locals, explain the environmental impact of indiscriminate littering, and encourage the use of proper waste bins.
Transforming Trash into Art: The Save Earth Save Bangladesh Exhibitions
One of the most acclaimed efforts of BD Clean is its unique exhibition series titled “Save Earth, Save Bangladesh”, held annually since 2019. These exhibitions turn collected waste—plastic bottles, cigarette filters, and discarded wrappers—into powerful art installations that carry strong environmental messages.
Season 1 (2019)
Held at a public ground in Banani, Dhaka, the first season used over 3 million plastic bottles to create visual installations, including:
- A map of Bangladesh,
- The National Martyrs’ Memorial,
- A portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman made entirely of bottle caps.
The event was inaugurated by Mayor Atiqul Islam and drew thousands of visitors, inspiring similar models in other cities.
Season 2 (2021)
This version focused on smoking-related waste, collecting:
- 5 crore cigarette filters,
- 100,000 empty cigarette packs.
The result? An enormous 71×100 ft map of Bangladesh, a giant set of lungs made from filters, and sculptures of fish, turtles, and brains—all emphasizing the environmental damage of smoking-related waste.
Prominent figures such as BD Clean’s goodwill ambassador Solaiman Sukhon, business leaders, and members of the Rotary Club attended the event.
Season 3 (2022-2023)
Featuring over 30 million cigarette filters, 45 lakh plastic bottles, and 6 tons of discarded polythene, this exhibition included:
- A replica of a dying banyan tree,
- A human brain sculpture,
- A massive cigarette installation symbolizing addiction.
Each installation carried messages about responsibility, pollution, and the dream of a clean Bangladesh. The closing ceremony was attended by Tajul Islam, Minister for Local Government and Rural Development.
Cleaning Rivers and Reviving Hope
BD Clean’s efforts extend beyond urban spaces into natural water bodies. In January 2024, 600 volunteers, in coordination with MP Barrister Syed Sayedul Haque Sumon, cleaned the nearly dead Khowai River in Habiganj—drawing national media attention.
In Rangpur, the group cleaned 5 km of the historic Shyama Sundari canal in May 2024, while several canal cleanups in Dhaka led to visible improvements in urban water flow and public hygiene.
These missions, often involving wading through chest-deep water and removing decades of built-up garbage, underline the group’s dedication and hands-on approach.
Campus Cleanliness Campaigns: A New Norm
In 2017–2018, BD Clean ran a 12-week campus cleaning campaign at the University of Dhaka. Over 1,500 volunteers, split into 121 sub-teams, cleaned the entire campus. On January 26, 2018, the university was declared a “Clean Campus” by Vice Chancellor Dr. Md. Akhtaruzzaman—a momentous milestone in public university history.
Such efforts have inspired similar campaigns across other educational institutions and set a benchmark for student-led activism in South Asia.
Community Recognition and Institutional Support
BD Clean’s non-political, non-profit identity has helped it gain trust across political and social boundaries. It enjoys support from:
- Municipal authorities, including Dhaka North City Corporation,
- Private companies and CSR initiatives,
- National media, which regularly feature their efforts.
The organization’s activities have been highlighted on major networks such as Somoy TV, Ekattor, BanglaVision, and Channel 24, further boosting its visibility.
Allegations Against Leadership: A Shadow on a Bright Canvas?
Despite its overwhelming positive impact, BD Clean has not remained untouched by controversy. Allegations surfaced in early 2025 accusing founder Farid Uddin of misusing volunteer resources and benefiting financially through connections with city corporations.
While the organization has not released a formal response, many volunteers and regional coordinators continue to support the mission, emphasizing that the work on the ground remains transparent, community-driven, and impactful.
Why BD Clean Stands Out
In a country where many youth are disengaged from civic life, BD Clean is doing something extraordinary:
- Empowering young people with purpose and leadership roles.
- Using waste creatively to communicate climate messages.
- Maintaining a consistent schedule, rain or shine, every Friday.
- Inspiring a cultural shift around public cleanliness.
Unlike many top-down NGO models, BD Clean is a horizontal, community-owned platform that teaches responsibility through action.
A Vision for the Future
As plastic pollution, urban waste, and climate risks intensify, BD Clean’s model could serve as a blueprint for global citizen-driven environmental action. The group is now eyeing:
- Partnerships with schools to integrate environmental education,
- Scaling up river cleanups to protect biodiversity,
- International collaborations with eco-networks to share best practices.
Final Thoughts
BD Clean is not just a volunteer group—it’s a movement that blends activism, education, and civic pride. It is proof that when youth lead with clarity of purpose and action, transformation follows. With continued support, BD Clean can take its model beyond borders, inspiring similar initiatives in other developing nations.
In a world facing environmental uncertainty, Bangladesh’s youth may just have a message worth hearing: “Let’s clean together, let’s grow together.”
