Jahanara Turns Plastic Waste into Prosperity

Sunamganj, in north-eastern Bangladesh, is home to vast haor wetlands, seasonal floodplains that support fishing, farming, and tourism. These wetlands are central to local livelihoods and rich in biodiversity, making them vital for both people and nature.

But this ecosystem faces growing challenges. Climate-driven floods threaten farming and fishing, while plastic waste, bottles, bags, and wrappers clog wetlands, adding to the community's struggles.

This is where Jahanara Khatun's story begins.

Once struggling to feed her children and care for her ailing husband, Jahanara's fortunes shifted when she became a beneficiary of the Local Government Initiative on Climate Change (LoGIC) project. With a small grant, she started farming, finding stability for her family. Yet, she saw a bigger problem-and an opportunity. Determined to protect her wetlands and create jobs, Jahanara rallied more than 160 LoGIC beneficiaries and founded the cooperative limited.

In December 2024, they launched the haor's first-ever plastic recycling factory with Jahanara, voted by her peers for her leadership role, was appointed as the president of the enterprise. Each month, the factory purchases 500-1000 kilograms of plastic from local waste collectors who gather waste from rivers, wetlands, and tourist spots. Around 20 villagers, mostly from climate vulnerable families, sort and process the waste, earning BDT 400-500 (USD 3-4) a day. The recycled plastic is then sold to larger factories, transforming pollution into income while restoring nature's balance.

The results are already visible. Cleaner wetlands are bringing back fish and migratory birds. Families are earning new incomes. The initiative even won the Global Center on Adaptation's Locally Led Adaptation Award at COP28 and secured funding from the FBCCI Innovation & Research Centre.

Jahanara's story is more than a tale of resilience; it's a blueprint for climate action. By turning plastic waste into opportunity, the people of Khalishajuri are proving that even vulnerable wetland communities can lead the way in protecting the planet, creating jobs, and rewriting their future.