Cox’s Bazar has taken a major step toward sustainable waste management with the launch of its first-ever plastic recycling plant in Mithachhari, Ramu upazila. The facility aims to transform single-use plastic waste into valuable resources, marking a milestone in the district’s environmental progress.
The plant was officially inaugurated on Thursday, October 9, 2025, by Mohammad Navid Shafiullah, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Guests at the ceremony praised the initiative for its pioneering approach in addressing Cox’s Bazar’s growing waste crisis and promoting circular economy practices.
Among the distinguished guests were World Bank Environmental Specialist Bushra Nishat, UNOPS Technical Advisor for Medical Waste Management Maison Salam, Cox’s Bazar Municipality Administrator Nizam Uddin Ahmed, Executive Engineer of the Department of Public Health Engineering Ibne Mayaz Pramanik, and Director (Additional Charge) of the Department of Environment Zamir Uddin. Also present were Dr. Md. Liakat Ali, Director of BRAC’s Climate Change Programme, and Rezaul Karim, Associate Director and Officer-in-Charge of BRAC’s Humanitarian Crisis Management Programme (HCMP).
Due to its popularity as a tourist destination and the large number of displaced Rohingya refugees, Cox’s Bazar produces a massive volume of plastic waste each day. Studies estimate that around 34.5 tons of plastic are discarded daily, mostly single-use items like polythene bags, wrappers, polypropylene, and thin films, which are difficult to recycle and hold little to no market value.
The newly established facility will turn such waste into durable, eco-friendly, and aesthetically designed products, including benches, sofas, and sturdy poles. The project promotes environmental sustainability and represents a promising model for waste-to-resource innovation in Bangladesh’s coastal region.
Cox’s Bazar Life Report
Photo: Courtesy
