The B-Prism Project
- Last updated on 5 December 2024
Background Information
Industrial symbiosis is defined as the use by one company or industry of underutilised resources (including waste, by-products, residues, energy, water, logistics, capacity, expertise, equipment, and materials) from another with the result of keeping resources in productive use for longer. Project lead partner International Synergies Limited (ISL) has done similar work in over 40 countries globally, including African nations with limited waste management. B-PRISM provides the opportunity to bring Bangladesh’s stakeholders on plastics together on a single platform, captured and reported in SYNERGie® software, to reduce plastic waste that impacts Bangladesh economically, environmentally, and socially. Reusing materials that would otherwise become waste, and using recycled materials, in the manufacturing process uses considerably less energy (and thus reduces carbon emissions) than required for producing new products from raw materials. Industrial symbiosis reduces the need for extracting, refining, and processing raw materials, all of which create air and water pollution through material substitution (e.g., the use of alternative inputs replacing virgin).
Updates
B-PRISM has garnered broad support for implementing the following project phases from industry, government, informal sector, and NGOs. The industrial symbiosis support tool SYNERGie® was set up for Bangladesh in the Bengali language, and both SYNERGie® and industrial symbiosis training were carried out with the country partner Maxwell Stamp Limited. Through the research to gather and analyse data from companies and public datasets, the project connected with nine groups of industries, eight associations, six industries and two institutions, some of whom have: been interviewed and provided data and attended the BPRISM Conference. Excellent stakeholder engagement in Phase 1 of B-PRISM garnered support for Phase 2/3 implementation from industry, government, informal sector, and NGOs, as evidenced by letters of support and by the February 23rd Conference with associated high-level attendees. Interviews and consultation have clarified key learnings for Phase 1 regarding business context (regulatory, financial), supplies (quantities, locations), and technologies.
* SMEP has funded the first phase; further funding is subject to resource availability.
Websites
International Synergies Limited
