Bangladesh faces a mounting plastic waste crisis, with urban areas struggling under the weight of inadequate waste management systems and rising pollution levels. Amidst these challenges, Cordaid’s innovative plastic recycling and waste management project has emerged as a transformative initiative.
It prioritises people in the most vulnerable circumstances and actors excluded from the waste value chain while fostering a greener urban environment. Approximately 25,000 tons of solid waste are generated in urban areas of Bangladesh every day, and by 2025, this amount is expected to double. A significant portion of this waste is plastic, with Dhaka city alone producing 646 tons daily. Over the past 15 years, plastic waste in Dhaka has tripled, making Bangladesh one of the most plastic-polluted countries.
‘Our work is one of the most important—we help keep the cities clean’
By connecting stakeholders and empowering vulnerable communities, Cordaid’s plastic recycling project addresses environmental concerns and creates sustainable livelihoods for marginalised individuals.
Building a Circular Economy
The vision of transforming waste into opportunity lies at the heart of Cordaid’s project, implemented in Dhaka North City Corporation and Narayanganj City Corporation. The initiative integrates waste collectors, aggregators, private sector recyclers, and city corporations to establish an efficient value chain for plastic recycling. The project fosters a cleaner, greener Bangladesh while creating dignified jobs by raising awareness about waste segregation, providing training on occupational health and safety (OHS), and equipping workers with essential tools.
Key interventions include:
- Training 500 waste workers on occupational health and safety.
- Providing personal protective equipment and first-aid kits to waste workers and aggregators.
- Strengthening waste management systems to remove 1,200 tons of plastic waste from the ecosystem within the project duration.
- Linking aggregators with 10 financial institutions to support their entrepreneurial growth.
- Partnering with private sector actors to recycle plastic waste and advance innovations in waste management.
Through partnerships with stakeholders like the Narayanganj City Corporation and private entities, the project also introduces innovative practices such as bottle-shaped plastic collection bins, waste-trapping nets in water bodies, and buy-back centres. These efforts contribute to environmental sustainability while improving the lives of those at the forefront of waste management.
Salma Begum: From Waste Collector to Entrepreneur
Salma Begum, originally from Lalmonirhat district, relocated to Narayanganj 15 years ago to escape financial hardship. Initially, Salma, whose husband struggled with addiction problems, worked as a household maid. She became a waste collector to escape mistreatment, earning a small income of 3,000 BDT per month. The hope of one day starting her own business kept her going. Then, in 2023, her life took a turn when she joined Cordaid’s programme.
Equipped with training in livelihood improvement, business skills, and OHS, Salma gained the confidence to pursue her dream of starting her own business. By September 2024, she transitioned from a waste collector to a plastic waste aggregator, employing four workers and earning a monthly income of 25,000 BDT to 30,000 BDT.
‘When I started my business, I didn’t have enough capital to rent a space to set it up. Cordaid stepped in with essential safety gear, including PPEs, a first-aid kit, and a manual weighing machine. Additionally, they provided comprehensive training on livelihood improvement, business skills, and occupational health and safety. I also received training on plastic cleaning, sorting, grading methods, entrepreneurship, and financial inclusion,’ she explains. ‘Furthermore, Cordaid provided me with 3,000 BDT for the first three months to help my business run smoothly. Now, after a month, I have been able to manage the business on my own, and my profits are steadily increasing.’
Salma continues to face many challenges. ‘Managing a business requires a lot. Balancing business responsibilities with household chores and being a mother of two young children is a considerable challenge. But hard work and determination can change anyone’s life,’ she concludes. ‘It certainly changed mine.’
Mohammad Dalim: Keeping Rivers Clean, One Bottle at a Time
Mohammad Dalim, a boatman from Narayanganj, has been navigating the city’s waterways for decades. Until recently, his income as a ferryman and that of his wife, who works as a housemaid, barely covered rent and food. And as his children’s educational needs increased, the parents struggled even harder.
A year ago, Mohammad learned about Cordaid and how to earn money by collecting plastic waste from the river while ferrying passengers. He didn’t hesitate to join. ‘I always collected waste to keep the river clean. Knowing I could earn from it without extra effort was exciting,’ said Md. Dalim.
Now, Mohammad collects and sells plastic waste to aggregators, earning an extra $20 monthly. This additional income helps him keep his children in school. ‘The struggle isn’t over, but at least my children don’t have to quit their education,’ he says with hope.
His efforts, supported by Cordaid’s training and equipment, highlight the importance of involving local communities in environmental conservation. His story underscores the project’s dual impact: safeguarding natural resources while providing economic stability to vulnerable families.
Rozina: Empowered Through Training
For Rozina, a waste collector in Dhaka, Cordaid’s programme has been life-changing. Previously earning just 8,000 BDT per month collecting and selling waste, together with her husband, Rozina faced immense challenges in meeting her family’s basic needs. Any interfering issue that kept her from working, like falling ill, was a source of severe stress.
After she was introduced to Cordaid and received training on PET bottle segregation, personal safety equipment, and improved collection techniques, her income has grown to 10,000 BDT to 12,000 BDT per month.
Rozina’s increased earnings have enabled her to save for her children’s future while working in safer conditions. She now dreams of starting her own business. ‘Our work is one of the most important—we help keep the cities clean,’ Rozina said, expressing pride in her role as a waste worker. Which doesn’t mean her job has no more discomfort. ‘Carrying heavy bags still causes pain in my back sometimes,’ she admits. After Cordaid brought up this issue with her employer, Rozina could borrow the waste-collecting van to transport heavy loads.
‘What I cherish most about my situation today is my financial independence. Not having to worry about the next meal is a blessing,’ Rozina adds. The support she received had more than just financial benefits—it gave her self-esteem. ‘I don’t like how people treat waste workers as if they don’t have any value. I used to have the same mindset. Now I realise that I am a human being. And that no job is worthless.’
Harunur Rashid: A Waste Entrepreneur’s Success Story
When he was young, Harunur Rashid helped his father collect and sell plastic waste to recyclers. He then went on to set up a similar business of his own. Eighteen years later, his business expanded significantly, and he now employs 26 workers at his factory. Daily, his team collects two tons of plastic, sorts it, and sells it to recyclers.
Despite his business’s success, Harunur continued to face challenges in securing support from financial and government institutions, primarily due to limited access to information and platforms.
A year ago, Cordaid Bangladesh equipped Harunur with knowledge and tools to expand his business and create a strong connection with local actors like the City Corporation, recyclers, and banks. Additionally, he received a hydraulic machine that compresses large volumes of plastic into smaller, more manageable packages. ‘The machine has been incredibly helpful. I can now consolidate the plastic from five trucks into just one. This efficiency has reduced my costs by 5% and increased my profits by 8%,’ says Harunur.
With support from the project, Harunur expanded his business to employ 26 workers and process two tons of plastic waste daily. Despite his success, Harunur acknowledges the ongoing challenges faced by waste entrepreneurs, including limited access to finance and recognition. Through Cordaid’s efforts to connect stakeholders and advocate for fair policies, waste actors like Harunur are gaining the tools and support needed to thrive in a sustainable and circular economy.
A Greener Future for Bangladesh
Cordaid’s plastic recycling project is not just about waste management; it’s about building resilient communities. The initiative demonstrates how innovative solutions can drive meaningful change by addressing environmental challenges and empowering individuals like Salma, Dalim, Rozina, and Harunur.
With its focus on creating dignified livelihoods, strengthening waste governance, and promoting sustainability, the project serves as a model for tackling plastic waste globally in a way that benefits those who need it most. As Bangladesh takes steps toward a greener future, Cordaid’s work highlights the power of collaboration.
Photo credits: Cordaid Bangladesh