SCIP Plastics Project, CUET

Exciting Research Updates from the SCIP Plastics Project!

We are delighted to announce the publication of three significant research papers by our team in leading scientific journals for 2025! These works explore sustainable alternatives to plastics, with a spotlight on jute-based solutions and policy interventions for marine plastic pollution.

Our recent publications:

“Jute bags as a sustainable alternative to single-use plastic bags in Bangladesh: Rethinking the sole reliance on life cycle assessment”
Sustainable Production and Consumption (Q1 | CiteScore: 22.5 | Impact Factor: 9.6)
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2025.03.010

“Challenges and prospects for the substitution of plastic products with jute in the context of Bangladesh—a social study”
Environmental Science and Pollution Research (Q1 | CiteScore: 6.6 | Impact Factor: 5.59)
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-025-36159-z

“Plastic Waste in Marine Ecosystems: Identification Techniques and Policy Interventions”
Water and Soil Pollution (Q1 | CiteScore: 4.6 | Impact Factor: 3.44)
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-025-08092-x

A heartfelt thank you to all our co-authors, the incredible SCIP Plastics Project team, and our Scientific Director, Prof. Dr. Mst. Farzana Rahman Zuthi, for their unwavering support and guidance throughout this journey.

At SCIP, we believe that sharing knowledge isn’t about self-promotion, but about empowering others—researchers, advocates, and changemakers—who are striving for a sustainable future. We hope our work adds value to ongoing dialogues and inspires further action in plastic alternatives.

Let’s keep the conversation—and the momentum—going!

Workshop on Plastic Waste Mismanagement of Local Ships Held at Chattogram

Chattogram, May 7, 2025 — A workshop event titled “স্থানীয় জাহাজের বর্তমান প্লাস্টিক বর্জ্য অব্যবস্থাপনার ফলাফল ও প্রভাব এবং টেকসই বর্জ্য ব্যবস্থাপনার অনুশীলনে জাহাজকর্মীদের দৃষ্টিভঙ্গি”was held on May 7, 2025 at the Hotel Shaikat.

Organized under the SCIP Plastics Project, the program aimed to disseminate recent findings regarding the rate of plastic waste generation by local vessels and the consequent environmental consequences. The session also shed light on the perceptions and practices of ship crew members related to sustainable waste management, with the goal of formulating an effective guideline for managing waste on local ships. Md. Ajijur Rahman, Junior Environmental Engineer of the SCIP Plastics project, was the program's rapporteur.

Environmental Engineer Niloy Das from the SCIP Plastics Project presented key data and insights, elaborating on current waste management practices within port areas and the role and responsibility of crew members in reducing plastic pollution.

Prominent scientific experts, Prof. Sudip Kumar Pal and Prof. Asiful Hoque, addressed the systemic plastic waste mismanagement by local vessels docked at various ports. Both experts emphasized the urgent need for structured interventions and crew-level awareness to mitigate the growing environmental risks.

Crew members from local vessels and officials from the Sadarghat License Office for lighter vessels were the key participants, underscoring the importance of administrative collaboration in implementing effective waste management strategies across the port's operations.

The program marked a significant step forward in initiating evidence-based solutions to one of the critical challenges facing Bangladesh's maritime waste management landscape.

SCIP Plastics Project, CUET Hosts Knowledge Dissemination Campaign on Plastic Pollution at Cox’s Bazar

COX’S BAZAR, May 4, 2025 — A knowledge dissemination campaign titled “Addressing Plastic Pollution for a Sustainable Marine Future: Source-to-Solution (S2S)” was held at the Sayeman Beach Resort in Cox’s Bazar on Saturday. The event was organized by the SCIP Plastics Project under the Department of Civil Engineering at Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET), with support from Bauhaus-Universität Weimar and the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection.

The campaign brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including government officials, environmental experts, and representatives from national and international organizations. Distinguished guests included Md. Ibney Mayaz Pramanik, Executive Engineer of the Department of Public Health Engineering (Cox’s Bazar), Prorakram Chakma, Executive Engineer of Cox's Bazar Municipality, Jamir Uddin, Deputy Director of the Department of Environment, and town planners Tayfur Rahman and Md. Abdul Kader from the Cox’s Bazar Development Authority.

Participants also represented prominent organizations such as UNHCR, YPSA, NGO Forum, World Vision, and BRAC.

The event commenced with a recitation from the Holy Quran, and a brief introduction and video presentation about the SCIP Plastics Project. Prof. Dr. Mst. Farzana Rahman Zuthi, Scientific Director of the project at CUET, delivered the welcome address.

Key highlights of the event included technical talks on the investigation of marine plastic pollution in Bangladeshi ports and the potential of jute as a sustainable alternative to plastic. The sessions were followed by round-table discussions and an interactive Q&A, fostering dialogue on collaborative approaches to tackling plastic pollution.

The campaign aimed to raise awareness of the detrimental effects of plastic waste on the marine ecosystem and promote innovative, sustainable solutions. Discussions emphasized the importance of source reduction, improved waste management systems, and the development of biodegradable alternatives such as jute.

The hybrid day-long Board of Directors (BoD) meeting for the biannual report was successfully concluded on November 16, 2024. 📊

SCIP members are grateful for the valuable insights and productive discussions as we continue working towards progress and excellence.

Scientific Directors, Scientific Experts and researchers from the following institutions attended the meeting in various sessions of the meeting:
Chittagong University of Engineering & Technology (CUET)
Bauhaus-Universität Weimar (BUW)
Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET)
Institute for Social-Ecological Research (ISOE)
Khulna City Corporation (KCC)