Dhaka faces a severe plastic pollution crisis, significantly disrupting water flow in its vital canals and rivers. With 977,000 tonnes of plastic waste generated annually in Bangladesh, and a concerning amount ending up in waterways, urgent and coordinated action is critical. Experts and stakeholders are advocating for a comprehensive strategy that combines innovative solutions, policy reform, and community engagement to combat this escalating threat.

Key Challenges and Their Detrimental Impact

• Mini packets and single-use plastics: These have become a major source of pollution, with an estimated 45 million polythene bags used daily in Dhaka alone, clogging drains and polluting canals.
• Informal waste disposal: Uncontrolled, low-income settlements along canals often lack formal waste collection, leading residents to dispose of waste directly into the water, severely disrupting flow.
• Vanishing canals: Historically, Dhaka had 175 canals, but by 2022, 80 had vanished, and 15 are in critical condition. Policy failures, such as the construction of box culverts, have drastically reduced water flow and made waste management nearly impossible.
• Waste burning: The widespread open burning of all types of waste, including polythene and plastic, releases black carbon, posing severe public health and environmental risks.

“The amount of microplastics we ingest each year could produce at least fifty plastic bags. This alarming reality highlights the urgency of addressing plastic waste. In Bangladesh, the recycling industry is still largely informal and unregulated. I believe that those directly involved in recycling must receive greater attention, ensuring their safety, skill development, and proper training.”

Rumana Afroze Dipti
Gender Analyst/Research Associate, BELA

A leading initiative in this fight is the project In Dhaka implemented by PLEASE grantee RedOrange Limited with guidance from DNCC. The successful Kallyanpur Canal project, has showcased innovative technical solutions, such as floating plastic barriers adapted for varying canal depths, and employing a “Five-for-One Integrated Approach” that brings together all stakeholders, from local communities to government and private entities.

Proposed Solutions and Strategies

1. Technical Interventions and Infrastructure Development:

• Floating plastic barriers: Inspired by Amsterdam’s canal management, projects like the Kallyanpur Canal initiative by RedOrange Limited, a PLEASE project grantee, have successfully used barriers to remove plastic waste. These modular barriers are designed to adapt to varying canal depths without obstructing aquatic life or water flow, trapping only surface-level waste.

“This project addresses the growing issue of plastic pollution in Bangladesh.
Inspired by Amsterdam’s canal management, the project began after observing plastic blockages in Dhaka’s Kallyanpur canal. RedOrange, a Bangladeshi organisation, initiated the effort using a “Five-for-One Integrated Approach, which involved all stakeholders, including the local communityDNCC (Dhaka North City Corporation), and private entities, and has proven to be successful.”

Jannatul Munia
Director (Strategy), RedOrange Limited

• Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs): Setting up MRFs in key plastic pollution hotspots would allow for better integration of collected waste into the recycling chain.
• Ward-based plastic leakage maps: These maps can help identify problem areas and inform targeted interventions.

2. Policy Reform and Producer Responsibility:

• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Experts advocate for holding producers responsible for their plastic waste. Dhaka’s city corporations could form local EPR task forces to oversee producer registration, ensure reporting compliance, and monitor waste flows. Many recommendations from the Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BPGMEA) have been adopted in the formulation of EPR guidelines.
• Transition to biodegradable plastics: Promoting and incentivizing the use of biodegradable plastics is crucial for long-term progress.

“Although polythene was officially banned in Bangladesh back in 2002, enforcing that ban remains a challenge. If we truly care about our families and our health, we must reduce our use of single-use plastics. I believe this is not just a matter of environment — it’s a matter of public well-being. I’ve also urged the city corporations in Dhaka to monitor their local markets closely and ensure they remain free of polythene. These steps may seem small, but together, they can build a cleaner, healthier future for all of us.”

Syeda Rizwana Hasan
Adviser for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change 

3. Community Engagement and Awareness:

• School-based awareness campaigns: The PLEASE Project actively engages children and adolescents in an organized way, such as through school campaigns like those at Hazrat Ayesha (RA) Academy, to foster family-level awareness about proper waste disposal and the importance of reducing plastic use. Students are encouraged to discuss plastic pollution at home, sparking wider conversations.
• Public awareness campaigns: Campaigns are needed to change people’s habits, encouraging them to dispose of waste in designated bins and understand the environmental and health impacts of improper disposal.

4. Formalization and Support for Waste Collectors:

• Inclusion of informal waste collectors (“tokai”): Acknowledging their vital role, these collectors must be treated with dignity and formally integrated into the system, with ID numbers, safety measures, skill development, and proper training. Their essential contribution to maintaining cleanliness is often unrecognized and unsupported.

“For effective community engagement, involving children and adolescents in an organised way can foster family-level awareness. At the same time, formalising waste workers – by issuing ID numbers – can enhance their dignity and social acceptance. Scrap dealers should also be brought into the formal system.“

Hasan Ahmed
Technical Expert – Environment, PLEASE Project, UNOPS

5. Reduction, Reuse, and Recycling:

• Prioritizing the 3Rs: The core principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle must be emphasized at both individual and systemic levels. The PLEASE Project supports circular plastic economy solutions.
• Reducing single-use plastics: Bangladesh’s national plan aims to reduce single-use plastic consumption by 90% by 2026, which requires concerted efforts from both the government and individuals. The government is moving gradually towards a complete ban, despite enforcement challenges.
• Reviving jute bag culture: Initiatives by the jute ministry to offer subsidized jute bags can provide a viable alternative to plastic.
• Corporate responsibility: Big companies, like Coca-Cola, should be urged to transition to sustainable packaging (e.g., glass bottles) and take full responsibility for collecting and recycling their plastic waste until that shift occurs.

6. Coordinated National Action:

• Inter-agency collaboration: Effective plastic reduction goals require coordinated efforts between different government bodies, such as city corporations and ministries. The successful collaboration between RedOrange and DNCC in the Kallyanpur Canal project highlights the importance of such partnerships. The PLEASE Project, implemented by the South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme (SACEP) and supported by UNOPS and the World Bank, explicitly aims to strengthen regional integration institutions and facilitate knowledge exchange for harmonized plastic pollution mitigation measures across South Asia.
• Replicating successful models: The model plan for making Saint Martin’s Island completely free of single-use plastics, developed by the government, could be replicated in other parts of the country. The success of the Kallyanpur Canal project under PLEASE can serve as a blueprint for similar initiatives in areas like the South City Corporation.

By implementing these comprehensive strategies, with a strong emphasis on the multi-faceted initiatives of the PLEASE Project, Dhaka can make significant strides in combating plastic pollution, protecting its vital waterways, and safeguarding public health for generations to come.