By Obidul Islam – Programme Manager, UNOPS
When Mohsena Begum sorts plastic bottles at a recycling hub in Cox’s Bazar, she no longer sees herself as an invisible tokai (waste picker). Instead, she is a “Cleanliness Warrior,” earning a fair income, sending her daughter to school, and contributing to a cleaner coastline.
Her transformation is the result of a partnership model that is reshaping how Bangladesh tackles plastic waste. At its core is a three-way alliance between Bangladesh Petrochemical Company Limited (BPCL), local social enterprise TRACT, and the development NGO – Centre for Development Innovation and Practices (CDIP). Backed by the PLEASE Project — implemented by the South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP), supported by the World Bank with implementation support from UNOPS, — the initiative proves that recycling reform is only sustainable when corporate strategy, local expertise, and social support come together.
Why Partnership Matters
Bangladesh is one of the world’s top ten countries for plastic waste mismanagement and pollution. Traditional waste picking relies on informal networks where collectors face exploitation by middlemen, hazardous conditions, and little hope of financial security.
The Recycling Business Unit (RBU) model, pioneered by BPCL under the PLEASE Project, addresses this by formalizing the chain. But its strength lies not in technology alone — it’s the partnership design:
“The RBU model works because each partner plays to its strength. BPCL ensures the market, TRACT manages operations, and CDIP ensures the well-being of people. Together, we’re proving that waste is not just a burden — it’s a chance to build a better future.”
Borhan Uddin – Hub Assistant at the Cox’s Bazar RBU
Human Impact Through Shared Roles
For workers like Mohsena, the partnership has meant more than wages. With free childcare, she can work without fear for her daughter’s safety. With health camps and personal protective equipment, she works in conditions far safer than the informal system. And with transparent, fair pricing, she can save money and think beyond daily survival.
“Before, I worked all day and barely earned enough to eat. Now I can save money, send my daughter to school, and feel proud that my work helps keep Cox’s Bazar clean.”
Mohsena – Waste Worker at Cox’s Bazar RBU
This model of shared responsibility — corporate, local, and social — has turned workers from marginalized tokais into recognized “Clean Environment Workers.”
Results So Far:
“Our mission has always been to remove ocean-bound plastic from Cox’s Bazar. Partnering with BPCL through the PLEASE Project allowed us to make that vision real while improving lives.”
Omayr Khan – founder, TRACT
Looking Forward:
The RBU model shows how partnerships drive systems change. Without BPCL’s market pull, TRACT’s local execution, CDIP’s social safety net, and international support from the World Bank, SACEP and UNOPS, the model would remain just an idea. Together, they’ve built a scalable system that links plastic circularity with human dignity.
As Bangladesh looks to expand RBUs nationwide, this alliance offers more than a recycling solution. It’s a blueprint for inclusive, resilient partnerships — proving that when diverse actors work together, they can transform both waste streams and human lives.
