Waste-to-wealth: Impact of source-sorting of household waste in Cox's Bazar municipality
This brief highlights the potential of simple, colour-coded waste sorting bins, delivered through public-private partnerships, to improve household waste management across urban Bangladesh. Source separation increases the recovery of recyclable materials, supports composting of organic waste and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Integrating bin distribution with formal waste collection services strengthens local recycling markets while creating income opportunities for households and waste workers. Evidence from Cox's Bazar demonstrates that urban waste sorting can deliver measurable climate benefits and should be recognised as an effective investment in achieving Bangladesh's climate objectives.
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Barua-Bhowmik-Sonia-Rashid-Sulaiman-Policy-Brief-May-2026.pdf
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Distributing simple colour-coded sorting bins through a public-private partnership is a low-cost, replicable model for improving household waste management in urban Bangladesh.
When households sort waste at source, the benefits extend well beyond cleaner streets: more recyclables are recovered, organic waste is composted, and greenhouse gas emissions fall.
Formalising waste collection services alongside bin distribution opens up local recycling markets and generates income for waste pickers and households.
Urban waste sorting programmes deserve recognition as climate investments. Evidence from Cox's Bazar shows measurable avoided emissions, directly supporting Bangladesh's national climate commitments.