Bangladesh turns industrial waste into eco-friendly chalk for schools
New sustainability initiative transforms factory sludge into classroom chalk, tackling waste and plastic pollution nationwide
DHAKA, Bangladesh (MNTV) — A pioneering initiative by DBL Ceramics, one of Bangladesh’s leading tile manufacturers, is turning industrial residue from tile production into classroom chalk, combining innovation, education, and sustainability in one effort.
Launched under the TileChalk initiative, DBL Ceramics converts sludge waste — a by-product of its ceramic manufacturing process — into high-quality chalk sticks for underserved schools. The project aims to cut industrial waste, reduce landfill pollution, and offer a sustainable alternative to plastic-based whiteboard markers widely used in classrooms.
Bangladesh ranks among the top ten plastic-polluting countries, according to international environmental reports. TileChalk seeks to change that trajectory by reviving traditional classroom tools while promoting zero-waste production and circular manufacturing practices.
The company operates in a fully closed-loop water recycling system, reusing 100 percent of wastewater. During treatment, engineers identified a sludge material that could not be safely disposed of without environmental risk.
Instead of discarding it, DBL Ceramics collaborated with chalk manufacturers for six months to re-engineer the material into safe, durable, and affordable chalk sticks.
The first batch of 10,000 packets has already reached more than 1,000 schools through partner NGOs, with expansion planned nationwide. Broken tiles have also been repurposed into lightweight classroom slates, further reducing industrial waste.
“Education should never harm the environment,” a DBL Ceramics spokesperson said. “With TileChalk, we’ve turned waste into a resource that helps children learn while protecting the planet.”
To encourage replication, DBL Ceramics has made the TileChalk formula open-source, inviting competitors to adopt similar models. The initiative has gained attention from schools, NGOs, and sustainability advocates, highlighting how industrial innovation and social good can reinforce one another.
Environmental observers say the project offers a blueprint for circular economy practices in developing economies — proving that sustainability can emerge not from luxury sectors, but from local industries redefining waste as a resource.
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