Business Plan
Business Name: EcoPack BD
Student Name: [Your Name]
Student ID: [Your ID]
Date: 12 August 2025
1. Business Idea Selection
EcoPack BD is a proposed startup dedicated to producing and supplying biodegradable,
eco-friendly food packaging solutions for restaurants, street food vendors, and catering
services in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Our mission is to replace harmful single-use plastics with
sustainable alternatives made from sugarcane bagasse and cornstarch. The vision is to see
every food vendor in Dhaka serving meals in packaging that returns to the earth without
harming it. The business was inspired by the visible environmental damage caused by
plastic waste, particularly in drainage systems, rivers, and urban streets. By offering
affordable and locally manufactured biodegradable packaging, EcoPack BD can serve as
both an environmental solution and a viable business venture.
2. Business Description
EcoPack BD will manufacture biodegradable plates, cups, boxes, and carry bags using
locally sourced sugarcane bagasse (a fibrous residue from sugar production) and
cornstarch. These products are durable, heat-resistant, and completely compostable within
90 days. The problem it solves is twofold: reducing the environmental harm caused by
plastic pollution and offering food vendors a sustainable yet affordable packaging option.
Our Unique Selling Proposition (USP) is simple but powerful — we produce biodegradable
packaging locally, cutting import costs and making the product 20% cheaper than existing
imported eco-friendly packaging, while maintaining premium quality. The business will
operate as a partnership between two founders, each investing capital and expertise in
operations, marketing, and product development.
3. Market Analysis
The target audience consists of small to medium-sized food businesses in Dhaka — from
roadside fuchka stalls to popular fast-food chains. Based on informal surveys in Karwan
Bazar and New Market, many vendors express interest in eco-friendly packaging but are
deterred by high prices from imports. Competitor analysis shows that imported eco-packs
from India and China dominate the sustainable packaging niche, often costing 30–40%
more than plastic. Plastic products remain cheaper but are increasingly criticized and
targeted by government regulations. SWOT Analysis: Strengths – Affordable local
production, eco-friendly materials, government support for plastic alternatives. Weaknesses
– Need to educate market, initial high setup costs. Opportunities – Plastic bans, rising
awareness, growing food delivery market. Threats – Cheap plastic imports, raw material
price volatility.
4. Marketing Strategy
EcoPack BD will attract customers through a combination of free samples for first-time
buyers and partnerships with environmental campaigns. Pricing will be competitive —
around 8% higher than plastic products but 20% lower than imported biodegradable
products. This positions us as both an affordable and environmentally conscious choice.
Promotion will rely heavily on Facebook and Instagram ads in Bengali, highlighting the
environmental and health benefits of switching from plastic. Collaborations with local
influencers who review street food will further spread the word. Flyers will be distributed
at wholesale markets like Karwan Bazar and Chawkbazar. Sales will be a mix of direct
deliveries to vendors, online orders via Facebook, and contracts with restaurants.
5. Operations Plan
Resources required include a bagasse pulp-making machine, molding machines for shaping
plates and boxes, a small printing machine for branding, and a delivery van. Suppliers will
include sugar mills in Kushtia for bagasse and agro suppliers in Bogura for cornstarch. The
factory will be located in Savar to balance low rent with good transport links to Dhaka.
Production will follow a straightforward workflow: raw material preparation → pulping →
molding → printing → packaging → delivery. Initially, the team will include four machine
operators, one delivery driver, and one marketing officer.
6. Financial Projections
Estimated startup costs: - Rent (Savar factory): 25,000 BDT/month - Machinery: 950,000
BDT (one-time) - Raw materials: 70,000 BDT/month - Salaries: 60,000 BDT/month -
Marketing: 15,000 BDT/month Projected revenue: Selling 50,000 units/month at 5 BDT
each → 250,000 BDT/month. Break-even is expected by month 8. Expenses in first year
will total approximately 1,800,000 BDT, with projected revenue of 3,000,000 BDT,
yielding an estimated net profit of 1,200,000 BDT if sales targets are met.
7. Conclusion & Future Plans
EcoPack BD represents a realistic and socially impactful business opportunity. By
addressing the urgent need to replace harmful plastics with affordable biodegradable
options, the business is positioned to benefit both financially and environmentally. In the
next two years, EcoPack BD plans to expand into Chattogram and Sylhet, diversify its
product line with custom-printed biodegradable packaging for large restaurants, and
explore export opportunities to nearby countries facing similar environmental challenges.
