Cox’s bazar opens first municipal plastic recycling plant

Cox's Bazar's first municipal plastic recycling plant has commenced operations, advancing efforts to convert single-use plastic waste into valuable materials.

Officials inaugurated the facility on Thursday, 9 October 2025, in Mithaichori, Ramu upazila. Mohammad Navid Shafiullah, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, presided over the ceremony.

Notable attendees included Bushra Nishat, Environmental Specialist, World Bank; Maysson Sallam, Technical Adviser – Medical Waste, United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS); Nizam Uddin Ahmed, Administrator of Cox's Bazar Municipality; Ibne Mayaz Pramanik, Executive Engineer, Department of Public Health Engineering; Jamir Uddin, Director, Department of Environment; Md Liakath Ali, Director of the Climate Change, Urban Development and Disaster Risk Management Programmes at BRAC; and Rezaul Karim, Associate Director and Officer-in-Charge, Humanitarian Crisis Management Programme, BRAC.

Cox's Bazar, one of Bangladesh's foremost tourist destinations and home to a large displaced Rohingya population, faces severe plastic waste issues. An estimated 34 tonnes of plastic are discarded daily, much of it comprising single-use plastic, polythene, and packaging materials, which are challenging to recycle and hold minimal market value.

The new recycling plant addresses this problem by converting plastic waste into recycled plastic materials. These materials are then used to produce eco-friendly furniture such as sturdy sofas, benches, and structural pillars.

Inaugurating the facility, Mohammad Navid Shafiullah described it as "a unique example of sustainable waste management". He added that it will support environmental protection and generate employment opportunities for women and local communities. He expressed hope that similar initiatives would soon be replicated across the country.

Maysson Sallam of UNOPS said, "This plant is a model for how public–private partnerships can turn environmental challenges into opportunities for innovation and impact. UNOPS remains committed to advancing sustainable waste management that supports women, communities, and Bangladesh's vision of a plastic-free future".

Md Liakath Ali of BRAC explained that the facility was established under the Plastic-Free Rivers and Seas for South Asia (PLEASE) project. The project was implemented by the South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP) with support from the World Bank and UNOPS. Cox's Bazar Municipality also collaborated on the initiative. "This initiative will create income opportunities for a wide range of people—from plastic waste collectors and traders to factory workers and product vendors—benefiting a large portion of the community", he said.

Ibne Mayaz Pramanik, Executive Engineer at the Department of Public Health Engineering, added that the government is also working on solid and faecal waste management facilities. There are also plans to introduce medical waste management systems in future.

The 5,280-square-foot recycling facility can process up to 200 kilogrammes of plastic waste per hour. It includes an Effluent Treatment Plant (2,000 litres per day). The facility also has solar power generation, a fire safety system, an electric substation, and 24-hour CCTV surveillance. These features ensure safe and environmentally friendly operations.

The plant is expected to play a pivotal role in mitigating plastic pollution in canals, wetlands and coastal areas, restoring ecological balance, and fostering sustainable livelihoods for local communities.