The use of polythene has not stopped even though it is prohibited by law. Disposal of polythene along with household waste is one of the causes of environmental pollution. An initiative has been taken to collect these polythene from Narayanganj city and make them reusable through a project to protect the environment. In the first 6 months of the project, 100 tons of disposable polythene were collected from the City Corporation area and sent to the recycling center.
Unilever Bangladesh, United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Narayanganj City Corporation have taken the initiative to collect and recycle disposable polythene from waste. The project’s implementing partners are the Eco-Social Development Organization (ESDO) and E-Y (Ernst & Young LSP).
The project is expected to remove 5,000 tons of polythene from the city area in the next three years. Reusable products will be made from these polythene.
According to city corporation sources, about 2 million people live in the city. One thousand tons of household waste is generated every day in 28 wards. 300 cleaners engaged in the collection of these wastes. After they collect household waste, they are dumped in Al Amin Nagar, Jalkuri, Bandar and Shimrail in the city.
226 cleaners of the city corporation are working to collect polythene from the waste. Every day they collect and deposit about one and a half tons of polythene. They get 10 rupees per kg of polythene. In addition, the cleaners who will deposit more than 75 kg of polythene per month are given an incentive at the rate of one and a half taka.
Unilever is working on polythene as part of its social responsibility. Earlier, plastic was collected along with stomach bottles, but no one collects disposable polythene. In the last six months, they have collected 100 tons of polythene and sold it to recyclers. By recycling them, various plastic products including shoe soles and fishing nets are being produced.
One thousand tons of waste is generated in three areas of Narayanganj City Corporation every day. It contains 60 to 70 tons of polythene. They are collecting about one and a half tons of polythene every day. It will be related to the environment and public interest, gradually Narayanganj will be developed as a livable city.
