Unilever, CCC, and YPSA Unite to Combat Plastic Waste in Chattogram

In a significant move to tackle the growing issue of plastic waste, Unilever Bangladesh Limited, Chattogram City Corporation (CCC), and Young Power in Social Action (YPSA) have renewed their partnership to strengthen plastic waste management in Chattogram. The tripartite agreement, formalized through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed on May 11, 2026, aims to improve the livelihoods of waste workers in the city.

The partnership, launched in 2022, has been operating across all 41 wards under the city corporation to strengthen the plastic waste value chain by connecting waste workers, scrap buyers, and recyclers through a more inclusive collection system. According to officials, the initiative focuses particularly on the collection and management of low-value plastic waste through an incentive-based model, while also supporting waste workers through training on waste management, occupational safety, and basic business skills.

Under the program, around 3,000 waste workers and 220 scrap buyers have received training, while nearly 2,000 waste workers have been provided with safety equipment. The initiative also introduced group life insurance coverage in 2025, with 1,827 participants brought under the insurance scheme, offering financial protection in cases of accidental death or disability. Community outreach programs conducted under the initiative have so far reached around 25,000 households and more than 10,000 students at schools and madrasas in Chattogram.

According to project data, more than 32,000 tonnes of plastic waste were collected between June 2022 and April 2026, with flexible plastics accounting for nearly 70% of the total collection. Officials said half of the participating scrap buyers have now obtained trade licenses, while all participants have opened bank accounts under the program. The partnership has not only helped integrate informal waste workers into a more organized system but also improved both income opportunities and workplace safety.

Speaking at the event, Mayor Shahadat Hossain emphasized the importance of collaboration between local authorities, private companies, and civil society organizations in improving urban waste management. Ruhul Quddus Khan, Unilever Bangladesh CEO and Managing Director, said plastic waste management requires long-term collaboration and systemic changes across the value chain. As part of Unilever's global commitment to reducing plastic waste and accelerating circularity, the company has been working in Bangladesh over the past five years to strengthen inclusive waste management models.

Mohammed Arifur Rahman, YPSA Founder and CEO, said the initiative has helped integrate informal waste workers into a more organized system, improving both income opportunities and workplace safety. During the program, two waste collectors and two scrap buyers were recognized for their contributions to plastic waste management activities in the city. The renewed partnership will continue focusing on plastic waste collection, recycling, and community-level behavioral change initiatives aimed at building a more efficient and inclusive waste management system in Chattogram.

The partnership between Unilever, CCC, and YPSA sets an excellent example of how collaboration between the public and private sectors can lead to significant positive change. With the growing issue of plastic waste posing a significant threat to the environment, such initiatives are crucial in promoting sustainable waste management practices and reducing the impact of plastic waste on the environment. As the world grapples with the challenges of plastic waste, the success of this partnership serves as a model for other cities and countries to follow.