Towards a comprehensive and human-centred plastic waste management approach in the Cox’s Bazar and Affected Regions by Myanmar Refugee Influx...
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Towards a comprehensive and human-centred plastic waste management approach in the Cox’s Bazar and Affected Regions by Myanmar Refugee Influx
Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC) was awarded a Regional Competitive Block Grant (RBG) to implement sustainable and innovative solutions to reduce the flow of plastic pollution in Bangladesh.
The project proposed by BRAC intends to contribute to the reduction of plastic waste pollution by developing a comprehensive and sustainable waste management system on the world’s longest sea beach, Cox’s Bazar.
BRAC is an impactful organization that operates as a significant player in the worldwide development arena, engaging with approximately 100 million people who face injustice and poverty. With a special emphasis on empowering women and children. BRAC functions as a solution ecosystem that includes social development initiatives, social enterprises, humanitarian response, a bank, and a university.
The project proposes three outcomes that will contribute to achieving the project goal – (i) Development of a platform for effective multi-sector and multi-actor collaboration to support system change initiatives around plastic waste management in Cox’s Bazar; (ii) Improved waste management practices from waste producers through behavioural change driven nudge interventions; and (iii) Increased capacity and collaboration of waste management actors for better plastic waste management.
Key activities
1. Multi-Actor Collaboration
Output 1.1: Establish a multi-sector Collaboration Hub for effective communication and coordinated action on plastic waste management in Cox’s Bazar. This platform will facilitate stakeholder coordination, cooperation, and knowledge exchange to drive systemic changes.
Output 1.2: Engage community and institutional groups to actively participate in the Collaboration Hub.
Activities:
1.1: Set up a municipality-led Collaboration Hub for plastic waste management.
1.2: Mobilize local stakeholders through advocacy and on-ground initiatives.
1.3: Develop a policy implementation guideline with a long-term waste management plan through multi-stakeholder collaboration.
2. Nudge-Based Intervention for Waste Producers
Output 2: Prototype and scale up a nudge-based intervention to promote plastic waste segregation and collection, influencing long-term behavior change at household and institutional levels. This approach will experiment with various behavioral nudges to encourage at-source segregation, reuse, and recycling of plastic waste.
Activities:
2.1: Develop and test a nudge-based intervention targeting plastic waste behavior.
2.2: Scale up the nudge-based intervention throughout the municipality, camps, and city based on effective nudges identified during testing.
3. Strengthening Waste Generators and Recyclers
Output 3.1: Enhance the capacity of local plastic collectors and recyclers in segregation practices and workplace safety. Provide technical and financial support for business development.
Output 3.2: Develop a human-centric business model to increase the efficiency of the waste management system.
Output 3.3: Create a digital platform to connect stakeholders in the plastic waste ecosystem, serving as a marketplace for buying and selling recycled plastic.
Activities:
3.1.1: Provide training, resources, and incentives to existing waste collectors to improve collection and segregation practices.
3.1.2: Offer technical and financial support along with workplace safety awareness to local plastic recyclers.
3.2.1: Deliver technical support for prototype design and development to selected recyclers.
3.2.2: Facilitate market linkage and business development support for targeted entrepreneurs to connect with recycled market actors.
3.3: Design and launch a digital platform to act as a repository for stakeholders involved in waste collection and management.
Impact
This project aims to build a sustainable and effective waste management system in Cox’s Bazar by fostering collaboration, influencing behavior change, and enhancing the capacity of waste generators and recyclers. The initiative will reduce plastic pollution, support local economic growth, and contribute to a healthier environment for the community.
