Ending plastic waste needs strong informal sector leadership: Experts

Ending plastic waste requires strong leadership from the informal sector in Bangladesh's high plastic consumption situation, said experts today (12 March).

Bangladesh recycles nearly 40% of its plastic waste, as highlighted in the World Bank report, said experts at a stakeholder dialogue on the formalisation of the plastic recycling value chain held at the InterContinental Dhaka.

The event focused on the establishment of Recycling Business Units (RBUs) in Bangladesh, aiming to strengthen the country's plastic recycling ecosystem and align various stakeholders towards a sustainable, formalised recycling framework.

Khan M Ahsan, chairman of Bangladesh Petrochemical Company Limited (BPCL), said, "We are committed to driving the formalisation of the plastic recycling value chain in Bangladesh through the establishment of Recycling Business Units (RBUs). This initiative will not only enhance environmental sustainability but also create economic opportunities for all stakeholders involved."

Farhina Ahmed, secretary at the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, who was the chief guest at the event, said, "Plastic pollution is a huge problem not only for Bangladesh but all over the world. We are all concerned, and plastic pollution, especially, plastic pollution is a huge problem for our planet and biodiversity. Ocean health is heavily compromised due to plastic pollution. So, a South Asian regional approach and support from the World Bank is important in addressing this very important issue."

Kuldip Malla, partnership development manager at UNOPS, said, "To develop a sustainable circular plastic economy, we urge all stakeholders to help strengthen policies to formalise and safeguard waste pickers, expand financial inclusion to ensure fair wages, implement Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to engage manufacturers, encourage private sector investment in recycling infrastructure, and leverage development partners' support for funding and expertise."

Nayoka Martinez-Bäckström, first secretary/deputy head of development cooperation, environment and climate change at the Embassy of Sweden in Bangladesh, noted, "I am here today as part of my role, representing a government that has enjoyed many years of fruitful cooperation with Bangladesh, particularly in the area of municipal services, such as waste management and sanitation. This collaboration has encompassed work on infrastructure development, institution-building, livelihood generation, and regulatory enforcement—issues we have actively engaged with here in Bangladesh."

Shadab Khan, managing director of Coca-Cola Bangladesh Beverages, said, "Our goal is to make Coca-Cola bottles 100% recyclable. Right now, we're at 90%, but we are committed to bridging the gap. At 9.6 grams, our 250ml bottle is the lightest in the world. This is how we are building sustainability—innovation that reduces waste. Sustainability is not just about recyclable bottles; we must focus on a holistic approach to protecting the planet."

Shamima Akter, head of brand, partnership, and communication at Unilever Bangladesh, stated, "In Bangladesh, plastic consumption is high, but its management is crucial. Ending plastic waste requires strong leadership from the informal sector, which recycles nearly 40% of our plastic waste, as highlighted in the World Bank report. While the quality of recycling often falls short of standards set by companies like Unilever, Coca-Cola, and Nestlé, the informal sector's role reflects the power of innovation."

Khadem Mahmud Yusuf, managing director and CEO of BPCL, said, "The RBU model is a transformative approach to tackling plastic waste. By formalizing the recycling value chain, we aim to improve efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and foster a circular economy in Bangladesh."

Bushra Nishat, an environmental specialist at the World Bank, emphasised, " BPCL is helping PLEASE Project's grantee Bhutan in cross-learning to set up their first-ever recycling factory—I would like to thank BPCL for that. Awareness raising, innovation, making sure that waste can be used as a resource, and ensuring everyone understands what they are doing is a big part of PLEASE Project."