Unilever Bangladesh Limited has renewed its tripartite partnership with Chattogram City Corporation and Young Power in Social Action for two more years to fight plastic waste in Chattogram. CCC Mayor Dr Shahadat Hossain was present as the chief guest. CHATTOGRAM, May 11: Unilever Bangladesh Limited (UBL) has renewed its tripartite partnership with Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) and Young Power in Social Action (YPSA), an NGO, for two more years, as part of joint efforts to strengthen plastic waste management value chain and improve the livelihoods of waste workers in the port city.
The renewal was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at a ceremony on Monday. CCC Mayor Dr Shahadat Hossain was present as the chief guest.
UBL Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Ruhul Quddus Khan, CCC Chief Conservancy Officer Captain Ikhtiar Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury, YPSA CEO Mohammed Arifur Rahman, and UBL Director (Corporate Affairs, Partnerships and Communications) Shamima Akhter were present as special guests.
Speaking at the event, Mayor Dr Shahadat Hossain said the partnership underscores the importance of collaboration among city authorities, the private sector and civil society in strengthening urban waste management systems.
He noted that such initiatives contribute to improved service delivery at the ward level while addressing environmental challenges, and support the broader vision of building a cleaner, greener and more liveable Chattogram.
Sources said that since 2022, the partnership has operated across all 41 wards of CCC, linking waste workers, scrap buyers and recyclers through a more inclusive system.
The initiative has focused on improving the collection and management of low-value plastic waste through an incentive-based model, alongside livelihood development through training on waste management, health and safety, and basic business skills. Participants have also received safety equipment and access to health protection.
Under the programme, around 3,000 waste workers and 220 scrap buyers have received training, while approximately 2,000 waste workers have been provided with safety equipment.
In 2025, group life insurance was introduced, covering 1,827 participants against disability or accidental death. Community engagement activities have reached about 25,000 households and over 10,000 students in schools and madrasas, with further outreach planned.
Between June 2022 and April 2026, more than 32,000 tonnes of plastic waste were collected, of which 70 per cent was flexible plastic. Half of the participating scrap buyers now hold trade licences, and all participants have active bank accounts.
During the event, two waste collectors and two scrap buyers were recognised for their contributions to plastic waste management in the city.
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