LocationsA Gift of Land for A Cleaner Future
July 1, 2026
For generations, a small piece of land in Whykong, Teknaf, had belonged to the family of Md. Enayetullah, a local resident known for his strong connection to the community. Like many families, they considered the land a valuable inheritance, something to protect and pass on to future generations. But Enayetullah saw another future for it.
Around him, waste from the busy Whykong market was piling up in open spaces, blocking drains and polluting nearby water bodies. Plastic, food waste, and other discarded materials were often dumped without proper management, creating unpleasant surroundings and growing environmental and public health risks.
Enayetullah knew that his community needed a proper waste management facility. He also understood that such a facility could not be built without land. So, he made a personal decision. He offered nearly 12 decimals of his family’s property, free of charge for ten years, to establish a Material Recovery Facility for the people of Whykong.
“I realised that my contribution could serve a social purpose,” he said. “I wanted to do something that would benefit the entire community.”
Md. Enayetullah offered nearly 12 decimals of his family’s property to establish a Material Recovery Facility for the people of Whykong
His decision made it possible to establish the Whykong Material Recovery Facility under the Sustainable Environment and Public Health Project, supported by the Government of Japan and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme in Bangladesh.
The facility now stands on 11.94 decimals of the land Enayetullah provided. It serves approximately 10,000 people from around 2,000 households and offers the community a practical alternative to open dumping.
It currently processes around 1,530 kilograms of waste each day, recovering recyclable materials and managing the remaining waste more responsibly. With a processing capacity of up to 10 tonnes, the facility also has strong potential to expand its services in the future.
Before the facility was established, much of the market’s waste ended up in drains, vacant spaces, and nearby water bodies. During rainfall, blocked drainage systems increased the risk of waterlogging, while unmanaged waste attracted insects and animals, affecting shopkeepers, customers, and surrounding households.
Today, the area is becoming cleaner, and the community is beginning to understand that waste management is a shared responsibility.
The change goes beyond the physical environment.
“Earlier, people thought waste was simply something dirty that needed to be thrown away,” Enayetullah said. “Now they understand that waste has value.”
The facility is also generating local livelihoods. Waste collectors, scrap dealers, and workers involved in sorting and processing recyclable materials can now earn income through a more organised waste recovery system. Materials that were once discarded can now be sold, reused, or recycled, creating economic value while reducing pressure on the environment.
Through technical assistance, infrastructure, and collaboration with local stakeholders, UNDP and the Government of Japan have helped transform Enayetullah’s personal contribution into a functioning community asset.
But infrastructure alone cannot ensure lasting change. Enayetullah’s contribution created the foundation. The responsibility for sustaining the facility now rests with the wider community, including households, shopkeepers, waste workers, market authorities, and local institutions.
“If I had not provided this land, this initiative might never have materialised,” he said. “I hope others who have the means will also come forward to support initiatives that benefit their communities.”
His decision is now benefiting thousands of people every day. The Whykong Material Recovery Facility shows what can happen when personal commitment, community ownership, and development partnerships come together.