ILO and Cordaid Bangladesh have launched the “Circular Inclusion and Recycling for Local Economies (CIRCLE)” initiative to strengthen Cox’s Bazar’s plastic recycling market system and expand economic opportunities for waste workers and small recycling enterprises. Implemented under the ISEC project with support from Global Affairs Canada, the initiative aims to improve waste management practices, strengthen market linkages, enhance occupational safety and health, and promote more inclusive participation in the recycling value chain, particularly for women, youth, and other marginalized groups. The launch brought together 86 representatives from government institutions, municipalities, financial institutions, private sector enterprises, civil society organizations, and development partners, resulting in strengthened coordination and a shared commitment to support more sustainable and inclusive recycling systems in Cox’s Bazar.
Discussions during the event highlighted opportunities to address key challenges across the plastic recycling value chain through stronger partnerships, improved waste aggregation systems, entrepreneurship development, and better access to skills and market opportunities. Participants identified collaboration across public, private, and development sectors as essential to improving livelihoods, supporting local enterprises, and creating green jobs through circular economy approaches. Reflecting the initiative’s intended impact, Secretary of the Ministry of Industries Abdun Naser Khan noted that plastic waste management requires “innovative and collaborative solutions” and that initiatives such as CIRCLE can help “transform waste into economic opportunity by supporting green enterprises, creating jobs, and strengthening local recycling systems.” The commitments and recommendations generated during the workshop will guide implementation of the initiative and contribute to building a more resilient, environmentally sustainable, and inclusive local economy in Cox’s Bazar.
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Official Registration is NOW OPEN for Cox’s Bazar’s Largest Professional Gathering “CSN Skill Connect 2026”!
