Plastics are also a major problem in addition to wastewater. In Dhaka City, plastic waste has increased over 3.5 times, from 178 to 646 tons per day, between 2005 and 2020. Only 37% of the plastic is being recycled, mostly by informal workers. Landfills are filled with single-use plastics, like thin shopping bags, which clog drains and rivers, causing floods and increasing the risk of mosquito-borne diseases. When plastics degrade, they release microplastics that harm humans and ecosystems.
River Clean up
River Clean up
River Clean up
River Clean up
River Clean up
The Problem
Our Solution
We partnered with AGROHO to build a plastic recycling plant that processes at least 150 tonnes of waste per month. This waste is collected from rivers, other water sources, and the streets of Dhaka to prevent it from polluting the rivers. After our initial funding, the plant became financially independent as it sells the recycled plastic to factories that turn it into new plastic materials. The plant also creates jobs for permanent staff members and rag pickers.
Details
Solution: Plastic Recycling Plant
Impact: Income for 200+ people & 150 tonnes of plastic waste recycled per month
Place: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Project costs: 16,000 Euro
Partner: Agroho
FAQ
How exactly will 200+ people benefit from the factory?
The factory generates direct income for 15 full-time employees, who wash, shred, and palletize waste, as well as about 20 rag pickers who collect plastic bottles and other plastic waste from Dhaka’s rivers, streets, and local markets. Additionally, 10 micro-entrepreneurs supply plastic waste to the factory. The factory will also generate indirect income for an estimated 4.4 household members for each person mentioned above.
How much plastic can be recycled?
The factory will recycle a minimum of 150 tonnes of waste plastic per month.
What was covered by the 16,000 €?
- Renting the land
- Purchasing recycling machines
- Establishing electricity
- Constructing the factory building
- Paying staff salaries for the first 6 months
- Paying fees for all necessary institutional permissions
How will the ongoing operational costs be covered?
After the first six months, the factory was financially self-sufficient hence independent from further donations, due to incoming revenues from the recycled plastic pallets.
How sustainable is the plastic recycling plant?
The recycling machines have no negative impact on the environment. They require only a minimal amount of water to wash the plastics, which will be properly filtered before being discharged. To wash the plastic waste, detergent will be used, and no heavy chemicals will be involved. The machines have a guaranteed lifetime of 10 years, and spare parts can easily be obtained, as we are using Bangladeshi machinery.
Who will the recycled plastic pallets be sold to?
The plastic chips we produce are intended for use in non-food packaging, slippers, waste baskets, electric cables, and other products not intended for use with food or water.
