Unilever Bangladesh Limited has extended its collaboration with Chattogram City Corporation and Young Power in Social Action (YPSA) for an additional two years to enhance plastic waste management and support waste workers in Chattogram.
The renewed partnership was formalised through a memorandum of understanding signed on 11 May in Chattogram.
First launched in 2022, the initiative operates across all 41 wards of the city and aims to strengthen the plastic waste recycling network by linking waste collectors, scrap dealers, and recyclers through a more organised and inclusive system. The programme places special emphasis on collecting low-value plastic waste using an incentive-driven approach while also improving the working conditions of waste workers through training on safety, waste handling, and small business management.
So far, nearly 3,000 waste workers and 220 scrap traders have received training, while around 2,000 workers have been provided with protective equipment. In 2025, the initiative also introduced group life insurance coverage, bringing 1,827 participants under financial protection schemes for accidental death or disability.
Community awareness activities carried out under the project have reached about 25,000 households and over 10,000 students in schools and madrasas across Chattogram. Between June 2022 and April 2026, the programme collected more than 32,000 tonnes of plastic waste, with flexible plastics making up almost 70% of the total volume.
Officials said the partnership has also helped formalise the informal waste sector, with many scrap buyers obtaining trade licences and opening bank accounts. Representatives from all three organisations highlighted the importance of collaboration between local authorities, businesses, and civil society in building a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable urban environment.