Services to the Doorsteps: An Evaluation of Dhaka South City Corporation’s Waste Collection Performances through Third Party Agencies

Abstract

With the increasing number of dwellers in the capital city, the importance of Dhaka City Corporation’s efficient role in waste management has significantly expanded. For the last few years, these activities have been carried out by third-party entities known as Primary Collection Service Providers (PCSP). The primary objective of this study was to assess how household respondents perceive the performance of Dhaka South City Corporation in waste collection through PCSP. A mixed-methods approach was used, and primary data were collected through a household survey and key informant interviews. Most of the respondents (88.45%) were unaware that waste from households, industries, and commercial properties is now collected by a third-party entity from their respective locations. It certainly indicates a lack of communication and coordination between Dhaka South City Corporation and the service recipients. Though people are moderately satisfied, several organizational problems remain, i.e., a lack of funding and skilled human resources, and an absence of accountability strategies, monitoring, and reporting.

Social Science Review [The Dhaka University Studies, Part-D], Vol. 43, No.1, June 2026, pp. 323-339.