Waste to Work: Growth of recycling as economic lifeline
News Desk :
Once seen solely as a waste management tool, recycling in Bangladesh is rapidly evolving into a vital driver of employment, poverty reduction, and sustainable economic growth. With the right investments and policy support, experts believe the sector could generate secure livelihoods for millions, contributing to a greener and more inclusive economy.
Bangladesh’s recycling industry is emerging as a significant source of income and job creation, especially among low-income and marginalised communities. As the country faces mounting urban waste and environmental challenges, the sector has become both an ecological necessity and an economic opportunity.
Currently, the recycling industry employs more than 700,000 people, many of whom are part of the informal waste collection network. These include waste pickers, sorters, and aggregators who operate in major cities such as Dhaka, Chattogram, and Khulna. Collecting and selling plastic, paper, metal, and electronic waste has become the primary source of income for many families.
According to the Bangladesh Waste Management Foundation, an individual waste collector can earn between Tk 300 and 800 per day, depending on the volume and type of materials collected. Though modest, this income supports households that would otherwise remain unemployed, reports UNB.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the sector are thriving, particularly in areas like Narayanganj and Gazipur, where plastic shredding units, paper mills, and textile recycling plants have created thousands of jobs. These roles-ranging from machine operators to transporters-often require minimal formal education but offer stable income.
“Before joining a recycling plant, I worked as a day labourer with no job security. Now, I earn Tk 12,000 per month and receive my wages on time,” said Anwara Begum, a worker at a textile recycling facility in Gazipur.
Bangladesh, the world’s second-largest garment exporter, generates substantial textile waste. The growth of circular fashion and green textile recycling initiatives is further driving employment in fabric sorting, regeneration, and chemical recycling. Local startups and international investors are backing projects that upcycle garment waste, with strong job creation potential.
One such initiative, the Circular Apparel Innovation Hub, aims to create more than 50,000 new jobs by 2030-primarily for women-by scaling up textile waste recycling technologies.
Still, conditions in the informal sector remain challenging. Workers often face hazardous environments, lacking proper safety equipment, healthcare, or employment benefits.
“The work is hard and the smell is bad, but it feeds my family. If we had gloves and proper shelters, life would be better,” said Fatema Bibi, a plastic sorter in Dhaka.
Despite this, informal workers form the backbone of the recycling ecosystem. In places like Narayanganj, thousands-predominantly women-endure long hours and low wages, yet depend entirely on these jobs.
Experts are calling for greater formalisation and policy support. Dr Salma Akter, a waste management specialist at BRAC University, noted:
“Formalising informal waste work through cooperatives and municipal partnerships can increase incomes by 25% or more, while improving environmental outcomes.”
Challenges persist, including inadequate infrastructure, limited access to advanced recycling technologies, and lack of formal recognition for informal workers. Addressing these issues is crucial to unlocking the sector’s full employment potential.
“I got trained on the job. Now I handle machines and supervise others. It’s honest work, and I’m proud to be part of a growing industry,” said Sajid Rahman, a machine operator at a paper recycling unit.
In Dhaka, the emergence of decentralised collection hubs-locally known as kachra collection points-has created thousands of jobs. Located in areas like Mirpur, Jatrabari, Mohammadpur, and Uttara, these centres serve as intermediaries between informal collectors and larger recycling facilities.
“Before this job, I worked irregularly in homes. Now I come to the centre every morning and get paid weekly. It’s tough work, but better than nothing,” said Rina Akter, a waste sorter in Mirpur.
The centres employ workers in roles such as sorting, baling, transport, loading, and basic accounting. Many employees are low-skilled workers from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“We employ 15 people daily, including women who sort plastic and paper. Most are the sole earners for their families,” said Hasibur Rahman, manager of a Jatrabari collection centre.
Primary Collection Service Providers (PCSPs) are also managing waste at the ward level in both Dhaka North and South City Corporations. Their efforts streamline the waste collection process, reduce inefficiencies, and offer employment to transporters and loaders.
“I collect sacks of recyclables from households and deliver them to the centre. It’s physical work, but it pays my rent and my children’s school fees,” said Mizanur Rahman, a waste transporter in Mohammadpur.
To further support sustainable development, Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) has implemented projects in Purbachal, Uttara, and Jhilmil that avoid waste dumping. Modern sewerage systems with pipelines and waste transfer stations have been introduced to ensure efficient collection and minimal loss or mismanagement.
Viewing waste management from a business perspective is gaining traction. In Sakhipur, Tangail, a BUET student has established a plant on just three kathas of land to convert human and kitchen waste from 50,000 residents into organic compost-now used in agriculture and rooftop gardening.
Similarly, in Jamalpur, innovator Toufiqul Rahman is producing petrol, diesel, and kerosene from single-use plastics using high-heat local technology.
The “polyfuel” initiative has received government approval and is expected to roll out across all 64 districts.
Efforts to curb industrial waste are also gaining momentum. Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) are now mandatory in select industries, with government-appointed representatives monitoring compliance. While production costs may rise slightly, authorities argue that environmental sustainability must take precedence.
As Bangladesh continues its path towards urbanisation and industrialisation, the recycling sector stands out as a model for inclusive, green growth. With strategic policy alignment and investment, it has the potential to deliver both economic and environmental dividends for the nation.