Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo has stressed transitioning from the traditional system of production, consumption, and disposal to a circular economy to address plastic pollution.
Mintoo said alongside policy implementation, producer accountability, infrastructure for waste collection and recycling, and investment must be increased.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) Bangladesh held at a hotel in the capital on Tuesday, he called upon the government, commercial enterprises, research organisations, development partners, and civil society to work in a coordinated manner to tackle plastic pollution.
The minister noted that plastic pollution is not merely an environmental problem, as it directly impacts rivers, urban drainage systems, public health, and people’s quality of life.
Acknowledging that plastic production and consumption are deeply connected to the economy and employment, he emphasised creating a mechanism to convert waste into resources while balancing environmental protection with economic realities.
Highlighting the necessity of producer accountability in plastic waste management, Mintoo described the issuance of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) guidelines as an important step.
However, the minister noted that effective policy implementation requires robust waste collection and recycling infrastructure, functional markets, transparency, and accountability.
He urged that the success of NPAP Bangladesh be judged by tangible progress rather than the frequency of meetings and seminars.
He stressed that success will be measured by its impact on policy execution, investment growth, and improving the quality of life for workers and communities involved in waste management, calling on businesses, universities, research institutes, and financial institutions to actively step forward.
Speaking at the event, UNDP Bangladesh Resident Representative Stephen Rodriques cited a 2024 World Bank report showing that Bangladesh generates approximately 10 lakh tonnes of plastic waste annually, nearly 70 per cent of which is discarded indiscriminately or burned in open spaces.
He warned that this causes soil and river pollution, clogs urban drainage, and poses severe health risks as plastic particles enter the human body through food and water and from burning plastics.
The UNDP representative emphasised reducing plastic production, improving packaging design, expanding reuse and recycling, and developing alternatives to single-use plastics.
He also advocated for producers to share in waste collection and management costs, while enhancing the operational capacity of municipalities, waste collectors, scrap dealers (bhangariwala), and small recyclers.
Clemece Schmid, director of the World Economic Forum’s Global Plastic Action Partnership, shared that the global network encompasses national partnerships across 25 countries.
Drawing on international experience, he highlighted Bangladesh’s opportunity to formulate an evidence-based action plan, boost investment, and broaden recycling operations, while stressing the vital involvement of waste workers and local communities.
The ministry’s Acting Secretary Fahmida Khanam announced that NPAP Bangladesh has initiated a new baseline survey to update outdated 2018–19 data and revise the National Plastic Action Plan.
She highlighted a target under the EPR policy to recycle at least 50 per cent of plastic waste within the next two years, leveraging eco-friendly technologies, effective policies, and new business models.
NPAP Bangladesh Project Manager Sayed Monjurul Hoque mentioned that the initiative aims to create a joint platform to set national priorities, drive investment, and execute policies through research, data, and experience exchange.
The inauguration event was jointly organised by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Department of Environment, UNDP Bangladesh, and the World Economic Forum’s Global Plastic Action Partnership, featuring discussions on data alignment, EPR execution, waste management, and public-private partnership opportunities.
Having joined the Global Plastic Action Partnership in 2025, Bangladesh will use NPAP to improve stakeholder coordination, stimulate investment, and expand plastic recycling across the country.
