Waste Is the New Gold, If You Know How to Melt It
Bangladesh produces over 800,000 tons of plastic waste annually, but only 36% is properly recycled. Streets are clogged, landfills are full, and rivers are choking. But here’s the flip side — plastic waste is a raw material. And the plastic recycling business is one of the few industries that cleans the environment and prints profit at the same time.
Why the Plastic Recycling Industry Is Booming
Most industries in Bangladesh — from garments to consumer goods — depend on plastic. But virgin plastic is expensive. That’s why recycled plastic granules are in massive demand. Especially as the government pushes for eco-friendly alternatives and zero-waste manufacturing.
Key market drivers:
- Daily urban plastic waste exceeds 2,000 tons
- Garments, textiles, furniture, footwear industries use recycled plastic
- Govt offering tax benefits and land allocation for recycling
- NGOs & international funds are investing in waste-to-wealth
- High ROI and low labor cost compared to other Asian countries
What Can You Recycle?
Plastic isn’t just one thing. You can focus on one or combine multiple.
| Plastic Type | End Product | Selling Price (BDT/kg) |
|---|---|---|
| PET (bottles) | Fiber-grade flakes | 85–120 |
| HDPE (jerry cans) | Granules | 75–95 |
| LDPE (bags, films) | Granules | 55–75 |
| PP (toys, buckets) | Pellets | 65–85 |
| Mixed plastics | Crude oil/fuel via pyrolysis | 25–35/litre |
Recycling Plant Models (Small to Medium Scale)
Start with manual, semi-auto, or fully automatic systems. Here’s a model for a 2-ton/day PET/PP recycling plant.
| Item | Estimated Cost (BDT) |
|---|---|
| Plastic shredder | 3–5 lakh |
| Hot washer & drying line | 7–10 lakh |
| Agglomerator | 4–6 lakh |
| Extruder & pelletizer | 10–12 lakh |
| Sorting & conveying belt | 3–5 lakh |
| Water tanks, filter system | 2–3 lakh |
| Cooling tower & blower | 2–3 lakh |
| Generator / Solar Hybrid | 5–6 lakh |
| Factory setup (shed + floor) | 12–15 lakh |
| Branding, training, packaging | 3–4 lakh |
| Total Investment | 50–70 lakh BDT |
Machines available from India, China, and Turkey — we supply all with training and support.
Business Workflow: Step by Step
- Collect: Buy waste plastic from ragpickers, NGOs, city cleaners
- Sort: Separate by type (PET, HDPE, LDPE, PP)
- Shred: Cut into flakes using grinders
- Wash: Remove dirt, labels, adhesives
- Dry: Hot air or spin dryer
- Melt & Pelletize: Make granules
- Sell: To manufacturers of pipes, hangers, bottles, chairs
You can also export PET flakes for up to $800 per ton.
Revenue & Profit Model (2-ton/day plant)
| Daily Capacity | 2,000 kg |
|---|---|
| Raw Waste Price | BDT 30/kg |
| Processing Cost | BDT 10/kg |
| Selling Price | BDT 80/kg |
| Gross Profit | BDT 40/kg = 80,000/day |
| Monthly Profit | BDT 18–22 lakh |
| ROI Period | 12–15 months |
Profit increases if you export or switch to fuel-grade pyrolysis.
Licensing & Approvals Needed
PPB handles all regulatory approvals:
- Environmental Clearance (DoE)
- Trade License & Factory License
- Tax ID & BIN Registration
- Fire & Safety Certificate
- BSTI Certification for recycled output
We also provide EPR documentation for corporate waste contracts.
Bank Loans & Funding Sources
Recycling is a priority green sector, so getting funds is easier:
- Bangladesh Bank Green Fund
- SME loan (up to 1 crore)
- Islamic Banks (Mudaraba or Bai Muajjal models)
- Grants from donor orgs (UNDP, GIZ, World Bank)
- Special terms under Sustainable Finance Policy
We prepare full loan project profiles, complete with:
- ROI forecasts
- Environmental benefits
- Tech specs
- Market demand data
- Breakeven timeline
Case Study: GreenFlake Plastic, Narayanganj
- Started with 3-ton/day in 2021
- Sells PET flakes to Dhaka, exports to India
- Investment: BDT 65 lakh
- Revenue: BDT 38 lakh/month
- Profit: Over BDT 8 lakh/month
- Created 27 local jobs
Now they’re expanding into HDPE and Polyfilm segments.
Add-on Business: Pyrolysis Plant for Fuel
Want to take it further? Set up a plastic-to-fuel pyrolysis unit. It converts 1 ton of mixed plastic into:
- 400–500 liters of fuel oil
- 100+ kg of carbon black
- 50+ kg of gas (used to run the reactor)
These systems need higher investment (~1.5–2.5 crore), but offer 20–25 lakh/month profit.
Final Words: Clean the Country, Build a Business
In Bangladesh, every dirty bottle or torn plastic bag is an opportunity. With the right machinery, network, and plan — you’re not just making money. You’re solving a national crisis, one kilo at a time.
At Project Profile Bangladesh (PPB), we prepare your project report, supply machines, train your team, and guide you to profit.
