Unilever Bangladesh Limited has renewed its partnership with Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) and Young Power in Social Action (YPSA) for another two years to expand plastic waste collection, strengthen recycling systems and improve livelihoods of informal waste workers in Chattogram.
The initiative, active across all 41 wards since 2022, integrates waste workers, scrap buyers and recyclers into a structured value chain to improve collection of low-value plastic and formalise the sector.
The memorandum of understanding was signed at CCC head office in the presence of Mayor Shahadat Hossain, CCC Secretary Mohammad Ashraful Amin, Chief Conservancy Officer Captain Ikhtiar Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury, Unilever Bangladesh Managing Director and CEO Ruhul Quddus Khan and YPSA CEO Mohammed Arifur Rahman.
The programme has collected more than 32,000 tonnes of plastic waste between June 2022 and April 2026, around 70 per cent of which is flexible plastic.
It has trained 3,000 waste workers and 220 scrap buyers on waste management, health and safety and basic business skills while around 2,000 workers received safety equipment.
In 2025, the initiative introduced group life insurance covering 1,827 participants, providing financial protection in cases of disability or accidental death.
Community outreach has reached about 25,000 households and more than 10,000 students across schools and madrasas.
Half of participating scrap buyers now hold trade licences while all registered workers maintain active bank accounts.
Mayor Shahadat Hossain said coordinated action between city authorities, the private sector and civil society was essential to improving waste management and urban liveability in Chattogram.
Ruhul Quddus Khan said tackling plastic waste required systemic change and sustained collaboration, adding that the partnership supports broader efforts to strengthen inclusive recycling systems and accelerate circularity.
Arifur Rahman said the initiative helps integrate informal waste workers into a more organised system while improving access to income opportunities and safety measures.
Two waste collectors and two scrap buyers were recognised at the event for their contribution to plastic waste management in the city.
