Journal of Global Ecology and Environment

Plastic waste has turned out to be very big issue to the environment and governance in very rapidly expanding secondary cities like Rajshahi, Bangladesh. The research carried out looks at the plastic consumption and the behavioural driving factors as well as management of plastic waste in Rajshahi, Bangladesh by using a mixed-methods approach that comprises of household surveys (n = 200), stakeholder interviews, and contextual analysis of national-level data. The research found out that Rajshahi produces around 15,927 tons of plastic waste annually but only 20% of that is recycled in a practical manner. This is mostly done through the informal sector. Most of the waste is disposed of in landfills (more than 70%), and the infrastructure for recycling that is formal is still underdeveloped. The statistical analysis shows that income, education, and residential area have a significant influence on the recycling participation, and people who live in central urban areas are more likely to be involved in recycling than those in peri-urban or industrial areas. Factor analysis illustrates that two major motivational axes environmental awareness and convenience/rewards can account for 65% of the change in household recycling patterns. Apart from that, although nationally, the recycling rate is estimated to be 42% in 2024, Rajshahi is behind because there is a lack of coordination among institutions and informal recovery networks dominate. The study is now putting forward the Circular Behaviour-Policy Loop (CBPL) framework, which fuses behavioural waste theory with circular economy principles to redesign policy in alignment with citizens' motivations. The results of the study present practical advice for municipal policymakers planning to improve recycling systems, infrastructure planning, and community engagement in resource-constrained urban contexts.