Unilever, CCC and YPSA renew partnership on plastic waste management

Unilever Bangladesh Limited (UBL), Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) and Young Power in Social Action (YPSA) have renewed their partnership for two more years to continue plastic waste management activities in Chattogram.

The agreement was signed through a memorandum of understanding at a ceremony attended by Chattogram Mayor Shahadat Hossain as chief guest, according to a press release.

Among others present were Mohammad Ashraful Amin, acting chief executive officer of CCC; Captain Ikhtiar Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury, chief conservancy officer of CCC; Mohammed Arifur Rahman, founder and chief executive officer of YPSA; Ruhul Quddus Khan, chief executive officer and managing director of Unilever Bangladesh; and Shamima Akhter, director of corporate affairs, partnerships and communications at Unilever Bangladesh.

The partnership, launched in 2022, has been working across all 41 wards of Chattogram City Corporation to strengthen plastic waste collection and recycling systems.

The programme includes training, safety support and financial inclusion for waste workers and scrap buyers.

According to the organisers, 3,000 waste workers and 220 scrap buyers have received training under the initiative, while around 2,000 waste workers received safety equipment.

In 2025, the programme introduced group life insurance coverage for 1,827 participants.

The initiative also conducted awareness activities involving around 25,000 households and more than 10,000 students.

The organisers said more than 32,000 tonnes of plastic waste were collected between June 2022 and April 2026, with 70 percent consisting of flexible plastic.

Shahadat Hossain said, “This partnership reflects the importance of collaboration between city authorities, the private sector, and civil society in strengthening urban waste management systems.”

Ruhul Quddus Khan said, “Addressing plastic waste requires systemic change and sustained collaboration across the value chain.”

Mohammed Arifur Rahman said, “This initiative brings informal waste workers into a more organised system, helping improve income opportunities while strengthening access to safety measures and recognition.”

During the programme, two waste collectors and two scrap buyers were recognised for their contributions to plastic waste management in Chattogram.