Earning a living out of scraps

At least 500 locals of Gaibandha's Gobindaganj and Saghata upazilas have found a new source of income in the plastic recycling business thriving in the northern district.

A number of factories have been set up in the areas over the last one year to process scraps -- discarded bottles, containers, and polyethene bags -- into plastic chips and plastic dust, which plastic manufacturing companies use as input.

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“We pick up water bottles, soft drink bottles, containers, broken furniture and sell them to factories for Tk 10 a kg,” said Rafiqul Islam, a resident of Bati village in Bonarpara union.

Abdur Rahman, who is engaged with Apex Re-cycling Factory in Mohimaganj union, said, “We get Tk 300 a day for processing the scraps.”

Atia Khatun, who works in the same factory, said she is paid Tk 200 per day for cleaning the scraps. “Although we are getting lower wages than male co-workers, we are happy that at least we have a job.”

Shah Newaz Jewel, manager at the factory, said, “After cleaning, the wastes are processed in a crushing machine. This produces plastic chips and dust which are then dried and packed in gunny bags and dispatched to Dhaka's wholesale markets.”

The dust is sold to wholesalers in Dhaka and exported to different countries, including India and China, according to the proprietors of the recycling business. 

Many plastic manufacturing companies procure these chips and dust, Jewel said, adding that import of plastic substances from abroad might reduce over time as local production was thriving.

Abdul Hadi Munshi, proprietor of M/s Munshi Trader in Saghata, said there are over 50 workers at his factory to which nearly 100 people supply scraps.

He explained how the new business was playing a significant role in combating pollution. “Wastes pollute environment. Discarded bottles, polythene sheets block the drainage system resulting in water logging and health hazards.”

Seeking patronisation for the plastic traders, Ramkrishna Barman, Gobindaganj upazila nirbahi officer, said, “Recycling of plastic wastes is not only useful for the manufacturing companies but it also helps curb environmental pollution.”