Fatima Akhter

Bangladeshi environmental activist leading plastic waste reduction initiatives

Fatima Akhter (b. 1995) emerged as a key figure in Bangladesh's environmental movement through her Green Dhaka initiative launched in 2020. This project converted 80% of the city's plastic waste into construction materials by establishing 50 community recycling centers. Her team's innovative plastic brick technology received a 2022 Global Innovation Award from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.

Akhter's approach combines grassroots organizing with corporate partnerships, securing agreements with 15 major Bangladeshi companies to adopt recycled materials. By 2023, her efforts reduced Dhaka's plastic waste by 40%, diverting 22,000 metric tons annually from landfills. She pioneered the 'Plastic Credit' system, allowing businesses to offset waste through investment in recycling infrastructure.

In 2024, Akhter expanded her model to Jakarta and Manila through partnerships with ASEAN environmental agencies. Her TED article "Turning Trash into Tomorrow" outlines her vision for circular economies. Recognized by Forbes Asia as a 2023 '30 Under 30' innovator, her work has inspired similar initiatives in 12 developing countries.