Coxsbazar District Correspondent :

The two-day “Annual Assembly of Plastic Recycling Initiative,” organized under the project Formalization of Plastic Recycling Value Chain by forming Recycling Business Units in Bangladesh-a part of the Plastic Free Rivers and Seas for South Asia (PLEASE)
Project-was held on May 19-20 at Hotel Kollol, Cox’s Bazar. The event was jointly hosted by Bangladesh Petrochemical Company Limited (BPCL) and the Centre for Development Innovation and Practices (CDIP).
The assembly was graced by Mr. Md. Abdus Salam, Assistant Director, Department of Environment, Cox’s Bazar, along with CDIP Executive Director Mifta Naim Huda and Senior Officials.
The program commenced with a presentation titled “Formation of the Organization: Steps Toward Unity and Progress.”This session encouraged open discussion on building an organizational structure among participants of the recycling chain and its potential impact.
Around 60 participants attended the event, including waste pickers, scrap dealers (bhangari shop owners), hawkers, and local waste suppliers. The primary goal was to formally recognize their contributions and provide a platform for networking and knowledge exchange.
A panel discussion on “Plastic Recycling: Challenges and Innovations” followed, featuring industry experts, suppliers, volunteers, hawkers, and supply chain specialists. The panelists discussed various challenges faced in the recycling value chain, innovative solutions, and future prospects.
Different primary healthcare services and consultancy were provided to 34 participants through a health booth at the Assembly.
The event concluded with an award ceremony where four categories of awards were presented: Highest Quantity Supplied, Best Quality, Best Working Environment, and Best Female Entrepreneur. The winners received trophies and certificates from the guests. The organizers expressed hope that this assembly would foster respect, encouragement, and unity among all participants involved in the plastic recycling system.
Formalization of Plastic Recycling Value Chain by forming Recycling Business Units in Bangladesh” is supported by the PLEASE Project, which is implemented by the South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme, supported by the World Bank, and with implementation support from UNOPS.