Unilever Bangladesh Limited (UBL), the country's leading fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) company, signed an MoU recently with Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) and Young Power in Social Action (YPSA) for improved plastic circularity in Chittagong City Corporation at an event at the Radisson Blu Chittagong Bay View in Chittagong.
CCC Mayor Md Rezaul Karim Chowdhury was present at the MoU signing event as the chief guest, reads a press release. Chief Executive Officer of CCC Sheikh Mohammad Tauhidul Islam, CEO and Managing Director of UBL Zaved Akhtar and Finance Director of YPSA Palash Chowdhury signed the MoU on behalf of their respective organizations, reads a press release.
As a lightweight and cost-effective packaging material, plastic is essential for ensuring product availability to consumers, especially for consumers in rapidly developing economies like Bangladesh.
However, plastic pollution has become a growing concern and plastic should be kept in a loop to ensure a sustainable future for all.
To address plastic pollution, systemic change is required to establish a circular economy for plastic.
As part of Unilever's global compass commitment, Unilever Bangladesh is committed to taking action on the plastic waste challenge in Bangladesh through the “less plastic, better plastic, no plastic” model and heading to a waste-free and sustainable Bangladesh.
Since 2020, the company has been working on diverse plastic waste management initiatives starting in Narayanganj and then gradually expanding to Dhaka and Chittagong.
Unilever Bangladesh in collaboration with YPSA started a plastic circularity project in Chittagong City Corporation in 2022 with the vision to enhance the informal value chain and increase plastic waste collection.
Since June 2022, 7,000 tonnes of plastic waste have been collected, more than 2,000 waste workers were trained and received livelihood support, and 100% of collected plastic was recycled.
Based on the learning, the initiative is now going to continue in the coming years and under the MoU, Unilever and YPSA aim to collect 10% of Chittagong's plastic waste, strengthen 5,000 waste worker's livelihoods, increase citizen awareness and formalize the informal recycling value chain in Chittagong.
Special guests of the event Mubarak Ali, councillor and chairman of the Standing Committee for Waste Management of CCC, Mohammad Abul Hasem, acting chief conservancy officer (deputy secretary) of CCC, Hillol Biswas, director (deputy secretary) of Chittagong Metro, Department of Environment — along with Shamima Akhter, director, Corporate Affairs, Partnership and Communication of Unilever Bangladesh Ltd (UBL) participated in a panel where they discussed the challenges and opportunities of holistic plastic waste management.
CCC Mayor Md Rezaul Karim Chowdhury said: “Plastic has helped human civilization. But the mismanagement of plastic waste has become an environmental threat to humankind. The canals in Chittagong suffer from the devastating effects of plastic waste, leading to the demise of fish, making land infertile and causing waterlogging during monsoon.”
“The Karnaphuli River stands as a stark example, where accumulated plastic obstructs the river's flow, impervious to regular dredging. We do not have time to lose and must act together. Today's gathering gives me the hope that we are walking towards the right direction by collaborating. I am hopeful that the collaboration between CCC, UBL and YPSA is helping to enhance the local value chain, support our waste workers and drive plastic circularity in Chittagong,” he added.
UBL CEO and MD Zaved Akhtar said: "As a part of Unilever's global commitment to improving the health of our planet, we have been driving innovative approaches to plastic waste management since 2020, which includes innovation in packaging and creating and managing a sustainable model for plastic waste collection. To support Bangladesh's Vision 2041, we must address plastic pollution and act faster to protect our environment.”
“At Unilever, we started working through our multistakeholder model and collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders in the value chain to bring the desired changes. Although we are proud to share that we have collected over 7,000 tonnes of plastic waste from Chittagong and have ensured that 100% of the collected plastic is recycled, this is not enough to improve Bangladesh's overall plastic pollution,” he added.
“Hence, we have established a partnership with Chittagong City Corporation and YPSA to bring economies of scale and increase our collection efforts. I extend my gratitude to the honourable Mayor of Chittagong City Corporation, Mohammad Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, whose tireless dedication to his city's welfare has been truly exemplary,” UBL CEO further said.
“Furthermore, I express my appreciation to Arifur Rahman, the CEO of YPSA, for his leadership and support. Through our initiative, we have embarked on a journey that holds the promise of creating a better and more sustainable world for generations to come. It is my hope that through our efforts, we will move towards the vision of plastic circularity in Chittagong City,” he added.
YPSA CEO Arifur Rahman said: "Young Power in Social Action (YPSA) started its journey from Chittagong, and we have been working for the development of this city for more than three decades. As the city has developed over time, waste management, especially plastic waste, has not developed at the same rate. This has resulted in waterlogging during monsoon seasons, as well as an increase in marine waste.'
“Thus, working on developing the plastic waste management system is a cause close to our hearts. The initiative is enhancing plastic waste management has yielded remarkable results in safeguarding our city's environment and fostering sustainable practices. It is a collective responsibility for each and every one of us to protect our environment and ensure the proper management of waste in Chittagong City. Let us rally behind the noble mission and create a clean and sustainable Chittagong City,” he added.
