{
  "id": 7587161,
  "title": "Dhaka’s waste-to-energy project faces opposition from pollution-weary residents",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/dhakas-waste-to-energy-project-faces-opposition-from-pollution-weary",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-15T16:30:44.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Mongabay",
    "slug": "mongabay",
    "url": "https://news.mongabay.com/2026/09/dhakas-waste-to-energy-project-faces-opposition-from-pollution-weary-residents/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Yeasmin Begum, a resident of Dhaka, has lived near the Amin Bazar landfill for her entire life. She frequently experiences allergies due to the foul smell emanating from the waste, which often leads to colds and coughing. The stench is so pervasive that it makes breathing difficult, particularly when waste collectors burn the trash in the open air, releasing smoke and ashes that envelop her home and surroundings.\n\nThe city authorities have proposed a waste-to-energy project, which would incinerate up to 3,000 metric tons of trash daily to generate electricity. This would be the first-ever such project in Bangladesh, aimed at addressing the growing issue of municipal waste. The North Dhaka project, with a capacity of 42.5 megawatts, is expected to be completed by December 2028, four years later than originally planned. The project, owned by the China Machinery Engineering Corporation, has received significant funding from multilateral lenders such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the New Development Bank, both based in China.\n\nHowever, the project has faced opposition from residents living near the landfill, who have been enduring the adverse effects of polluted air, water, and soil for years. Yeasmin Begum is one of the many concerned citizens who worries about the potential release of toxic substances like heavy metals and dioxins into the environment if the project proceeds as planned. The residents fear that the daily burning of thousands of tons of municipal waste could exacerbate their health issues and further degrade the living conditions in the area.",
  "summary": "At years old, Yeasmin Begum has lived near the Amin Bazar landfill on the outskirts of Dhaka her whole life. She says the stench often triggers allergies, including colds and coughing. “Sometimes it is quite difficult for us to breathe when waste collectors burn the waste under the open sky. Smoke and ashes envelop our […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Dhaka's residents suffer from pollution due to Amin Bazar landfill.",
    "Waste-to-energy project proposed to incinerate 3,000 metric tons daily.",
    "Concerns over toxic emissions and health impacts from local residents."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}