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Strategic Objectives
Current Donor and Partner Agencies
Project Timeline
Project Background and Evolution
RUSTIC launched the Community-Based Municipal Solid Waste Management Project (CBMSWMP) in March 1997, with actual waste collection operations beginning in June of the same year. Initially, the project targeted two communities in Ward No. 17 as part of a pilot initiative. These included areas of the Sonadanga Residential Zone and adjacent mohallas. Waste Management Committees were established in each community to encourage local ownership and engagement.
RUSTIC is actively collecting kitchen garbage from 4,700 households and producing organic compost from these. Its positive effect is visible and this initiative is duplicable as it’s reducing the pollution and helping the farmers and gardeners produce organic products.
Current Project Status and Impact
Today, RUSTIC independently manages the project, having achieved operational sustainability. The project’s core activities include
RUSTIC currently collects between 3.0 to 3.5 metric tons of kitchen waste per day, serving approximately 4,700 selected households across Wards No. 16, 17, and 18 of Khulna City Corporation.
To support community engagement, RUSTIC has formed 15 Municipal Solid Waste Management Committees, each consisting of 11 members—60% of whom are women. These committees meet monthly to monitor progress, address community feedback, and strengthen implementation. The active involvement of residents, including a modest monthly service charge (BDT 20–200) based on income level, helps finance the wages of waste collectors and cover operational expenses.
Importantly, the young boys engaged in waste collection are also enrolled in RUSTIC’s Non-Formal Education Program or nearby community schools, ensuring that their livelihoods do not come at the cost of their education. This compassionate, community-supported model has fostered a deep bond between residents and waste collectors- many households now offer gifts of food, clothing, and other support as a gesture of appreciation.
RUSTIC remains committed to further enhancing the scope and efficiency of the program through collaboration, innovation, and continued community engagement. The success of this initiative reflects a scalable, inclusive model of urban environmental management that places people at the center of sustainable change.
RUSTIC has the Government’s permission to operate in the concerned area. The area coverage is total city corporation. Through aerobic composting system it’s producing 1200-1400 kg compost per day. Which is directly delivered to the farmers and gardeners.
The Shahpur Bazar Waste Management Program, operated by RUSTIC, is a pioneering initiative focused on transforming organic market waste into valuable compost through an environmentally sound and community-driven approach. Situated in the heart of Shahpur Bazar, a densely populated and economically vibrant area, this program addresses the urgent need for sustainable waste disposal solutions while promoting circular economy practices.
The primary objective of the program is to reduce the volume of biodegradable waste generated in the marketplace and surrounding areas by converting it into organic compost. This not only helps minimize the environmental burden of unmanaged organic waste but also supports local agriculture by producing nutrient-rich soil enhancers. The compost plant is designed to handle a daily intake of organic market waste, including vegetable peels, spoiled fruits, cow dung and other biodegradable materials, collected through market and vendor-based waste segregation efforts.
RUSTIC has established a systematic process that begins with awareness campaigns and vendor engagement to ensure effective waste separation at the source. The collected organic waste is transported to the Shahpur composting site, where it undergoes aerobic decomposition under controlled conditions. Within weeks, the waste is processed into high-quality compost that is then packaged and made available for local farmers and gardeners at affordable prices.
The program not only serves an environmental purpose but also creates livelihood opportunities for local waste workers, especially women and youth, who are involved in collection, sorting, and compost production. RUSTIC ensures that all involved personnel receive basic training in hygiene, safety, and composting techniques to maintain operational efficiency and product quality.
Through this initiative, RUSTIC is demonstrating a scalable model for community-based organic waste management that integrates environmental conservation with economic empowerment. The Shahpur Bazar Compost Plant stands as a practical example of how decentralized waste management can lead to cleaner markets, improved soil fertility, and healthier urban-rural ecosystems.
Key Features of the Program
RUSTIC’s Education and Human Development Program is designed to break the cycle of poverty and marginalization through inclusive learning opportunities and skill development. Focused on some of the most vulnerable populations- including slum-dwelling adolescent girls and out-of-school children-this program equips individuals with the tools they need to lead empowered, self-sustaining lives. It reflects RUSTIC’s deep commitment to education as a catalyst for personal growth, social equity, and long-term community development.
This sub-program is specifically designed to support adolescent girls from slum areas, particularly those who have migrated with their families in search of economic opportunities. These young girls often lack access to formal education, vocational training, and a safe space for personal development.
Key Features:
This initiative ensures that adolescent girls become self-reliant, literate, and capable of contributing meaningfully to their families and communities.
To ensure every child has a strong foundation for lifelong learning, RUSTIC runs the Primary Child Education Program, and targeting children from marginalized, low-income families who are often deprived of formal education.
Key Features:
This program has helped hundreds of underprivileged children develop literacy, numeracy, and social skills, laying the groundwork for better life outcomes and access to formal education systems.
Together, these two components of RUSTIC’s Education and Human Development Program aim to build a more equitable, educated, and resilient society, where both children and adolescents are empowered to shape their futures with dignity and confidence.
The Youth Climate Action Program is one of RUSTIC’s flagship initiatives aimed at mobilizing and empowering young people to become active agents of change in the fight against climate change. Recognizing the critical role youth play in building a sustainable future, the program equips adolescents and young adults with the knowledge, skills, and platforms needed to engage in climate resilience, environmental stewardship, and green innovation.
This initiative targets both rural and urban youth, with a particular focus on communities that are vulnerable to climate-related challenges such as rising sea levels, salinity intrusion, cyclones, and waterlogging- especially in the southwest coastal belt of Bangladesh.
Key Features of the Program:
By creating a climate-conscious generation of leaders, the Youth Climate Action Program fosters long-term resilience and collective responsibility. RUSTIC believes that when young people are given the tools, space, and encouragement to act, they can become powerful contributors to both mitigation and adaptation efforts in their communities.
This program reflects RUSTIC’s broader commitment to climate justice, youth empowerment, and sustainable development, ensuring that today’s youth are prepared to face tomorrow’s climate challenges.
