The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF) has announced its funding support for a new project with SR Asia Bangladesh to strengthen the waste management in Dhaka South City Corporation as part of celebrating the upcoming World Environment Day, a press release said Wednesday.
The Foundation has provided support for SR Asia’s project titled “Integrated Management of Plastic Assortment and Contribution Towards Green Economy” (IMPACT-GE).
The core objective is to develop an efficient waste management system along with reducing local air, water and land pollution. The partnership is also focused on improving lives of individuals such as waste management workers through green jobs and inclusive economic growth.
IMPACT-GE will work to prevent waste crisis and establish efficient resource utilization. The initial duration of IMPACT-GE is 12 months and during the first 6 months of pilot duration, itwill collect and recycleover 1800 tons of PET and impact the lives of 1.37 million people. Additionally, 300 waste collectors have already registered with SR Asia for IMPACT-GE with plans in place to increase the number of participants.
Sumaiya Rashid, Country Director of SR Asia said, “Bangladesh has been struggling with waste management for decades in spite of having multiple excellent policies in place … We hope with the Coca-Cola Foundation’s support we’ll be able bring forth the change we wanted to see for so long.”
Saadia Madsbjerg, President, The Coca-Cola Foundation said that, “The waste collection sector of Bangladesh is an informal sector. With this program we seek to link the informal sector with the formal sector and support stability and safety of waste management workers.”
Previously, TCCF had provided support to BRAC for the campaign, “Bandhan,” to develop a model for safe life and livelihood of waste workers in 13 low-income informal settlements of Dhaka. The project had taken many initiatives and as part of the “Bandhan” project’s key activities, eight wash blocks were launched for the waste workers in the capital.
