With more than a quarter of its population living in coastal districts, Bangladesh has always been culturally and economically linked to fishing, relying directly or indirectly on the blue economy for livelihoods. The country is home to the largest inland aquaculture and capture fisheries in the world, contributing approximately 3.6 percent of GDP and employing more than 17 million people.
The sheer volume of the sector also makes it a significant contributor to plastic pollution, especially pollution flowing directly into the Bay of Bengal, which is estimated to receive five times more plastics in 2025 than in 2010. A World Bank study estimates every year 6,089 tons of fishing nets (primarily made from nylon, a polymer) are discarded with limited recycling opportunities from Bangladesh. This is further exacerbated by the growing use and disposal of single-use plastics (SUPs), harming aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity, and contributing to the global crisis, where projections show there will be more plastic than fish in the world’s oceans by 2050.
However, new emerging opportunities could change this, turning a growing concern into a source of economic benefit for coastal communities. A recent report by the World Bank, Harnessing Fishing Net Recycling in Coastal Bangladesh, sheds light on innovative solutions involving public and private sector players to address marine plastic waste while creating jobs—especially for women—in coastal areas, following a green growth approach.
The Challenge of Fishing Nets: Waste or Resource?
Abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear are one the major contributors to plastic pollution in South Asia. An estimated 9,531 tons is found annually in the marine environment. While there is a local informal recycling market for fishing nets in coastal areas, they are primarily sold for repurposing or reuse and are eventually discarded back into the environment. However, there are untapped opportunities for new markets.
Most fishing nets in Bangladesh contain nylon-6, which has a high value in the global recycling market (expected to reach $30 billion by 2026) and can be used to make new products like ropes, carpets, and sportswear. Several international companies have made strides in processing discarded nylon-6 into new, high-quality synthetic fibers and materials, opening an opportunity for export. Domestic recycling (although largely informal) is active in Bangladesh, and with additional investment could flourish into a thriving industry.
Coastal communities are also searching for new ways to diversify their income, as overfishing and degradation of marine ecosystems put their livelihoods as risk. The World Bank-financed Sustainable Coastal and Marine Fisheries Project which is supporting coastal communities to switch to sustainable fishing practices to put less pressure on an already over-exploited resource.
With new market opportunities, an overabundance of high-value materials, and communities looking for alternative income-generation, Bangladesh is primed for the growth of a plastic recycling market. With new market opportunities, an overabundance of high-value materials, and communities looking for alternative income-generation, Bangladesh is primed for the growth of a plastic recycling market.
Women-led Recycling Initiatives
Women have always played a part in the fisheries sector. In Bangladesh1.4 million women are involved in gear preparation, post-harvest handling, and small-scale trading. Despite this, women make up only 10 percent of the fisheries workforce and are largely absent in any decision making about the management and development of the sector.
This is largely due to societal norms and gender inequalities restricting participation of women across all aspects of the value chain. For example, a woman would generally not be allowed to participate in fishing, recycling, or transportation due to mobility restrictions. Lack of capital, financial literacy, and education are also barriers preventing their participation in these enterprises.
Despite this, women have the technical knowledge from their long history of working in the sector and their participation in microcredit organizations. With the right mix of policy reform, behavior change, and market conditions women can enhance value chains and lead small-scale entrepreneurial startups engaged in collecting, sorting, and processing and in product development. Examples of such startups include:
A structured recycling system could generate new green jobs, increase women’s financial independence, and enhance household incomes, all while addressing a pressing environmental issue. A structured recycling system could generate new green jobs, increase women’s financial independence, and enhance household incomes, all while addressing a pressing environmental issue.
A Step Towards Zero Waste and Green Jobs
The International Day of Zero Waste serves as a timely reminder that waste is not just a challenge—it is also an opportunity. Rather than allowing used materials to pollute their waters, Bangladesh can harness them as a resource—one that not only reduces plastic waste but also fosters a circular economy that builds more resilient and inclusive local communities.