From our report on the Daily Star's profile on Abul Kalam Azad of Azizu Traders:
Bangladesh is the ninth most populous country and twelfth most densely populated countries in the world. The urbanization in the country is happening at a rocket speed.
According to 2012 data, Bangladesh generates around 22.4 million tonnes of waste per year. The most dangerous news is that the rate is speeding every day. It is projected to reach 47, 064 tonnes per day by 2025. It is hard to access proper waste disposal system in the most parts of the country. This reality has turned Dhaka into one of the most polluted cities in the world.
As urbanization grows rapidly, this challenge will grow further. The reason why I’m so fascinated with this story is that it also offers an incredible entrepreneurial opportunity for anyone up for the challenge.
What follows is a list of companies working in the field of waste management and recycling in Bangladesh. Just like Bangladesh, various other countries too require effective waste management.
From our story on the company:
“Plastic bottle is one of the ubiquitous objects in our environment nowadays. Bangladesh manufactures, uses and discards a staggering 400 core PET bottles a year and spends $ 225 million importing, PET resins, raw materials for manufacturing them. While some of these bottles are refurbished and recycled, a troubling amount of it is discarded just after one-time use and thrown away to landfills around the country. Moreover, plastic bottles are nonbiodegradable and are seriously hazardous to the environment.
But what if you could recycle these bottles and help create jobs and simultaneously address an environmental problem and make money?
This is what Bangladesh Petrochemical Company (BPCL) in Dhaka precisely doing. Founded by Khadem Mahmud Yusuf, the startup recycles discarded plastic bottles to produce PET resins, the raw material for manufacturing plastic bottles and fabric, while saving the environment and foreign currency and creating jobs in the process. The company now produces 400 tons PET resins a month and employs 200 people.”
Read our story on BPCL here and our interview with Mr. Khadem Mahmud Yusuf here.
“Waste Concern was founded in 1995 with the motto “Waste is a Resource”.
Later Waste Concern Group was formed to achieve a common vision to contribute to waste recycling, environmental improvement, renewable energy, poverty reduction through job creation and sustainable development.
Waste Concern Group is a Social Business Enterprise (SBE) comprising both “For Profit” and “Not-for Profit” enterprises.”
From a story in the Daily Star:
“Azad and Sidur exported e-waste to Singapore regularly between 2008 and 2014. That year, they started their own recycling plant on an 80,000 square-foot area in Fatullah. They also had their 130 workers trained by experts from Singapore.
The plant also recycles fibre, mixed metal, aluminium, lead, copper, plastic and other items.”
Note: This is by no means a complete list and we are looking for interesting waste management companies working in Bangladesh, please contact us with suggestions if you know one at [email protected]
