Unilever Bangladesh reaffirms pledge to managing 10% of Ctg's plastic waste

Unilever Bangladesh has reaffirmed its commitment to manage 10% of Chattogram's unmanaged plastic waste in 2025 in a move towards sustainable waste management in the city.

The pledge was announced during a celebratory event held at Radisson Blu Bay View Hotel in Chattogram, marking the milestone achievements of the plastic waste management initiative. 

Speaking at the event, CCC Mayor Shahadat Hossain said, "Plastic pollution is a growing challenge for Bangladesh, and tackling it requires joint efforts from government, private sector, NGOs, and citizens."

Shamima Akhter, Unilever Bangladesh's Director of Corporate Affairs, Partnerships, and Communications, said, "This initiative proves that when governments, NGOs, and the private sector collaborate, scalable solutions are possible. Through this initiative, we are managing approximately 10% of Chattogram's plastic waste."

Since the inception of the tripartite collaboration among Unilever Bangladesh Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) and NGO Young Power in Social Action (YPSA) in June 2022, significant changes have been made across 41 wards in Chattogram. 

With the collaborative effort, they collected over 24,000 tonnes of plastic waste collected to date. 

Additionally, more than 3,000 waste workers have received training in safe and efficient waste collection and management practices.

Under this initiative, over 200 informal waste traders (vangariwalas) and 2,000 waste collectors have been equipped with protective gear and business development training to enhance their capabilities and livelihoods. 

A group insurance scheme has also been introduced, covering 1,827 waste workers and vangariwalas, with accident-related death benefits up to Tk300,000 and additional coverage for medical expenses including doctor's fees, hospitalisation, and medication.

More than 15,000 households and over 7,000 students in 71 schools have been engaged through awareness campaigns promoting source-level waste segregation.

CCC's Chief Executive Officer Sheikh Muhammad Touhidul Islam added, "By integrating innovation from the private sector with local governance, we are achieving real change in waste management and environmental protection."

Nasim Banu, director of Social Development at YPSA, noted, "This partnership has empowered marginalised waste workers and strengthened social cohesion while helping to create a cleaner Chattogram."

During the event, three waste collectors and two vangariwalas/CSO representatives were honoured for their outstanding contributions to plastic waste management and community development.