The Plastic Free Rivers and Seas for South Asia (PLEASE) project aimed to tackle plastic pollution and improve flood resilience in Dhaka’s Kallyanpur Canal area. The Kallyanpur catchment, within Dhaka North City Corporation, relies on a network of canals and a storm-water pumping station, which plays a vital role in drainage and preventing waterlogging, especially during heavy rains. However, over time, encroachment of canals has significantly reduced their capacity. Additionally, large amounts of household and commercial waste are being dumped into drains and canals, further obstructing the water flow. 

To address these challenges, the project implemented floating waste interception barriers to capture floating pollutants, engaged local communities to encourage behavioral change in waste management, and linked plastic collection into recycling systems. The ultimate goal of this pilot project was to demonstrate an integrated approach to restore the canal’s natural flow and support environmental sustainability.

Red Orange Limited was awarded an Innovation Grant (IG) for this initiative. The project was funded by World Bank, implemented by The South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme (SACEP), in partnership with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). To ensure the project’s technical feasibility and the effectiveness of its interventions, Red Orange partnered with CSIRS-UIU. 

CSIRS-UIU designed the floating barriers and determined optimal locations for installment. The barriers are made of stainless steel with PVC pipes attached for the floating mechanism. It has a modular design which can be adapted according to a canals’ depth. The design also proposed an unique layout that ensures boat navigation.