Abstract:
Plastic goods have become so much a part of our lives that we can no longer do
without them. Though the City Dwellers of Dhaka are somehow concerned about the
harmful elTectsof plastic produClsto environment and civic life. They are exposed to
different negative consequences likc inhaling noxious gases emitted from different
unauthorized/informal plastic industries established in rcsidcntial and other areas of
Dhaka City. Another troubles of plastics arc their longevity. If they are not properly
dealt with, these can cause harm to soil, human health & drainage system. So,
managing these plastic wastes has become a matter of great concern for all. Recycling
of plastic wastes has become an important part of urban planning for saving costs both
of manufacture and of waste management. It makes delay of plastic wastes return to
environment. An environment-conseious world has made the lalter imperative mare
worthy of careful consideration The Informal Plastic Recycling Industries can play an
important role in managing plastic wastes and hence improving quality of
environment of Dhaka City. They not only provide employment to a large number of
urban poor of Dhaka City but also produce a wide range of goods from recycled
plastie waste that are supposed to be left to cause environmental degradation of Dhaka
City. The present study tries to give an alternative thought to decision-makers and
environmentalists to come forward 10 combating plastic waste problem through
recycling them in different informal plastic recycling industries. The study gives brief
ideas of the location, technology, recyele and trade chain, raw materials used,
employees, backward and forward linkages, outputs and faetors inftuencing the
establishments of these industries in Dhaka City. Finally the problems of these
informal plastic-recycling industries are identified and priority ranked to draw policy
guidelines and hence b'liidetheir prosperity in near future
