Inauguration Ceremony of “Integrated Management of Plastic Assortment and Contribution Towards Green Economy (IMPACT-GE)”

-Md. Tanver Hossain

The amount of plastic waste produced annually by humans worldwide is 350 million metric tons.
This plastic waste is not biodegradable and persists in the environment for a very long time. The
soil is gradually becoming less fertile because plastic is not biodegradable. Agricultural
productivity is also falling. The health of people is directly impacted by plastic pollution as well.
According to research, microplastic particles severely damage human body cells. Birth deformities,
lung infections, and cancer can result from this. Thus, reducing plastic pollution requires more
than one action. A concentrated effort is needed for this.

Considering that Social Responsibility (SR) Asia Bangladesh and The Association for Community
Empowerment (ACE) have launched a campaign to collect and process plastic waste to lower the
number of new plastics produced to combat plastic pollution. On May 10, 2024, in Shyampur,
Dhaka, the Association for Community Empowerment (ACE) launched the “Integrated
Management of Plastic Assortment and Contribution Towards Green Economy (IMPACT-GE)”
project. The project is funded by The Coca-Cola Foundation.

The objective of this project is to develop an efficient waste management system to reduce local
air, water and soil pollution and increase waste prevention and resource efficiency in the four
wards of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) and to protect the environment and ensure the
waste workers health safety. This project is expected to have a positive and long-lasting impact
on the environment. Through this project ACE is working to protect the urban environment of
Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) by improving the plastic recycling process in an eco-friendly
approach.

As part of the project, ACE is assisting more than 300 waste workers and their families in four
wards under Dhaka South City Corporation. The organization is working to ensure their
occupational health, safety and socio-economic development. Through this project, the waste
workers will be taught how to manage waste effectively.

At the inauguration ceremony, 200 workers associated with waste management were given free
health services along with various instructions on occupational hygiene rules. Shafiqur Rahman,
Ward Commissioner, Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), Sumaya Rashid, Country Director, SR
Asia Bangladesh and Md. Tanver Hossain, Executive Director, Association for Community
Empowerment (ACE) were present at the inauguration ceremony.

“We are facing this disaster due to dumping of plastic everywhere,” stated Md. Tanver Hossain,
Executive Director of ACE, during the inauguration ceremony. “We can manage the creation of
virgin plastics by recycling and reusing plastic. And by limiting this uncontrolled plastic production,
we can manage plastic pollution. Thus, we have taken the effort to collect and recycle plastic
waste that have been found in the environment. The lives of those who manage plastic waste
are also endangered.”

“It’s not just plastic that we are focusing on. Our campaign against plastic pollution will be possible
only when the people involved in it are free from the health and safety hazard. So, we are giving
utmost importance to the health of every employee involved. I urge every worker involved in this
waste management to follow all kinds of hygiene and safety guidance. “

Sumaya Rashid, Country Director of SR Asia Bangladesh, said, “The IMPACT-GE project is working
to strengthen waste management as well as improve the lives of waste workers in Dhaka South
City Corporation. The main goal of this project is to develop an effective waste management
system and reduce local air, water and soil pollution. The partnership aims to ensure occupational
safety and inclusive economic growth for workers involved in waste management.