Photo Gallery
Name of the Project :
Plastic Waste Management in Chattogram City Corporation Area
Funded by : Unilever Bangladesh Ltd (UBL).
Background And the Project Update
Background
Chattogram City is the second largest city in Bangladesh. It consists 41 wards and area is approximately 155.4 Sq Km. Currently there are about 5.2 population are living in this city (www.macrotrends.net). In an average 3000 tons of solid waste is generated daily in Chattogram City. The City Corporation can collect 75% of waste (Waste Report, 2019-2020).
It means there is huge gap between the waste generation and collection. Such inadequate and uncontrolled waste management have an impact on urban environment such was waterlogging is caused by light rain. It was observed that plastic and polythene is a major portion of generated wastes is Chattogram city. It is percentage is about 8.8%. The collection and recycling of plastic waste is primarily a manual activity in Chattogram. There is no formal system for collecting the plastic waste in Chattogram. Generally, waste collectors (Private and Public) collect plastic wastes form source points. Many cases informal collectors as Tokai collect plastics wastes from open sources. The collected waste is sold ahead to small scrap shops/bhangari at a cheap price. Then the small scrap shops/bhangai sold the plastic to recycler. Finally, the recycler sold the processed plastic wastes to manufacturer.
Generally, waste pickers are reluctant to collect single use plastic (LDPE). Because they thought that it has no economic value and given more effort to collect significant volume. When YPSA discussed with the leaders of Chattogram Plastic Recycle Association, they said that good quality single use plastic (LDPE bags) has huge demand in local recycle market in Chattogram as well as in countrywide. Moreover, Chattogram Plastic Recycler are capable to recycle large volume of plastic waste. There are more 300 recyclers in Chattogram.
In those perspectives, YPSA has taken an approached by connecting the existing actors of plastic value chain through various actions as well as providing awareness campaign at households on plastic waste segregation at households. Alike provide capacity development training with incentive to waste pickers for LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene) collection. Similarly, provide capacity strengthen support to small scrap shops/entrepreneur/bhangari to manage large volume of single plastic.
This approach ensure the bulk amount of single use plastic collection along with others plastic waste collection in Chattogram City. At the same time YPSA will provide necessary support to small entrepreneur/bhangari on makes market linkage with recycler. Concurrently, YPSA have regular lobbying and advocacy with Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) to institutionalize this process. As a result, the City Corporation will direct the concerned ward councilors to provide necessary assistance to the entrepreneurs at the ward level. And work in coordination with the project to raise awareness on plastic waste management in household’s level.
Finally, a comprehensive system developed on plastic waste management in the city and urban environment will be protected, city dwellers will have a good health and the intensity of waterlogging will be reduced.
Project Update: A total of 1,827 waste pickers and 150 Bhangariwala facilitated the plastic waste collection process. Since 2022, the initiatives have collected a cumulative 30000+ tons of plastic waste, where 70% is SUP and accounting for 8% of the city’s total waste. Each registered waste picker received cash incentives of Tk. 2/kg and bhangariwala Tk. 1/kg, along with health insurance benefits coverage, ensuring dignity, security, and recognition for their work. Overall, 40% of livelihoods improved of waste pickers and Bhangariwala. Formalization strengthened their economic inclusion, with 48% of Bhangariwala obtaining trade licenses, over 99% adopting bank transactions, and 100% completing business documentation. The initiative also fostered behavioral change, engaging more than 410 youth volunteers in source segregation, 20 young journalists in amplifying environmental stories, and reaching 80 schools and madrasha through clean environment campaigns. Importantly, over 23000+ households, embedding waste segregation into daily life. Through the partnership of YPSA, Chattogram City Corporation, and UBL, the initiative now manages 8% of the city’s waste, setting a strong example of collective action for a cleaner, greener city.
Project Goal
Enhanced Plastic Waste Management in Chattogram City Corporation Area
Project Objectives
- Promote empowered livelihoods for waste pickers and Bhangariwalas.
- Support formalization and advancement of Bhangariwalas in plastic waste management.
- Transform urban behaviors towards sustainable plastic waste management.
- Strengthen City Corporation leadership in innovative plastic waste solutions.
Expected Results
- Household used to on segregation of plastic waste from household level and source segregation increased;
- Waste Pickers will receive quality plastic and economically gained;
- Waste pickers motivated to collect uncollected single use plastic;
- The recycler will receive bulk and quality plastic for recycle;
- CCC will realize the importance of single use plastic collection and necessary action will be taken to support the process;
- A collaborative spirit will be created among YPSA, Unilever and Chattogram City Corporation.
- A Comprehensive model will be developed on plastic waste management in CCC;
- The prevalence rate of waterlogging will be reduced and increased the beauty of urban
Project Funded by : Unilever Bangladesh Ltd (UBL).
Working Area: Chattogram City Corporation Area.
Target Group:
Households, waste picker (private, public), CSO (Cleaning Service Organization) Feriwalas, Small Scrap Shops/Bhangari/Small Entrepreneur, Recycler, Manufacturer and Chattogram City Corporation.
Project Activities
Output-01: Empowered Livelihoods for Waste Pickers and Bhangariwala’s
- Building Capacity and Expanding Networks of Bhangariwala’s
- Strengthening Waste Pickers through Collective Learning (quarterly meeting)
- Protective safety gear support to recovery point-based waste pickers (under Bhangariwala’s) Need Base and Prioritize Torch/lighter
- Cash Incentive (3 Taka)
- Health Insurance coverage to CSO and Waste Pickers
- Health Insurance coverage to CSO and Waste Pickers – Outpatient
Output-02: Formalization and Advancement of Bhangariwala’s in Plastic Waste Management
- Monthly Coordination Meeting with Ward Office
- Model Colony Developed
Output-03: Transforming Urban Behaviors for Sustainable Plastic Waste Management
- Youth Meeting (Bi-monthly) for promoting source segregation practices and Youth Journalist Meeting
- Training of Youth in Environment Journalism- 03Days
- Youth Champions of the Environment -CTG Division Wise
- Day Observation (Volunteers Day/youth day)
- School Program
- Orientation to City Corporation school teacher to teach the student on source segregation
- Clean Environment School Campaign/ ToT for School Student
- 3 Bins Distribution (City Corporation Governs school)
- Others /Integration
- Capacity Building workshop with Market committee
- Social institution Small Group Meeting
- Safety Measures information Board set up (Landfill/Tourist)
- Advocacy Meeting with relevant stakeholders (Roundtable discussion with dailies)
Output-04: City Corporation Leadership in Innovative Plastic Waste Solutions
- Quarterly Project Progress Sharing Workshop with CCC (CSO/Waste Pickers Award)
- Strengthening capacity of CCC conservancy dept
- MoU program for Plastic Waste Management in Chattogram City