Korean and Bangladeshi students teamed up yesterday (31 July) to clean up CRB Hill—removing nearly 80 sacks of plastic waste from one of Chattogram’s most iconic green spaces.

The cleanup initiative was jointly organised by the Department of Environment (DoE), Chattogram Metropolitan Office, and ASEZ (Save the Earth from A to Z), a global student volunteer group based in South Korea, on Friday morning. The campaign aimed to combat plastic pollution while encouraging public awareness and civic responsibility, according to a press release.

A total of six Korean student volunteers worked alongside 34 local students and volunteers, joined by 20 officials and staff from the DoE. They collected plastic bags, chip packets, drink bottles, and other discarded waste left behind by visitors, highlighting the growing problem of single-use plastics in urban public spaces.

CRB Hill, often referred to as the “lungs of Chattogram,” is a popular destination for recreation and public gatherings. However, it has increasingly suffered from poor waste management and littering—especially from plastic packaging.

DoE Chattogram Director Sonia Sultana, who inaugurated the event, praised the initiative and reaffirmed the department’s commitment to its ongoing “Zero Plastic” campaign. She announced that the next cleanup drive will take place at Patenga Sea Beach the following Friday.

The collected plastic waste was immediately picked up by Chattogram City Corporation for proper disposal.

Officials hope that such youth-led collaborations will spark greater public awareness and encourage more citizens to take responsibility for keeping the city clean and sustainable.