‎Bangladesh Steps Up Efforts to Promote Sustainable Plastics Through EPR Policy

Photo: CNI

Staff Correspondent: The Department of Environment (DoE) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) have brought together government officials, industry leaders and development partners to accelerate the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and promote sustainable plastics production in Bangladesh.
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‎Held at The Westin Dhaka, the national seminar titled “Circular Plastics Use: From EPR Policy to Industry Action” focused on translating policy commitments into practical measures to improve resource efficiency, reduce industrial waste and advance a circular economy in the plastics sector.
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‎The seminar was organized under the project “Integrated Approach Towards Sustainable Plastics Use and Marine Litter Prevention in Bangladesh,” implemented by UNIDO in collaboration with the DoE, with funding from the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Dhaka.
‎Norwegian Ambassador to Bangladesh H.E. Håkon Arald Gulbrandsen attended the inaugural session as Chief Guest, while UNIDO Country Representative in Bangladesh Alamgir Hossain joined as Special Guest. The session was chaired by Dr. Masud Iqbal Md Shamin, Director of the DoE.
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‎Dr. Abdullah Al Mamun, National Project Director and Deputy Director of the DoE, delivered the welcome address, highlighting ongoing initiatives related to EPR, Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP), and Design for Environment (DfE). A video message from DoE Director General Dr. Md. Lutfor Rahman was also presented.
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‎The technical session explored pathways to move EPR from policy formulation to practical implementation. Maqsood Sinha, National Expert under the project, presented approaches to advancing EPR, followed by a panel discussion moderated by former UNIDO Country Representative Dr. Zaki Uz Zaman.
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‎Representatives from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the DoE, the Royal Norwegian Embassy, the Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association, and PRAN-RFL Group discussed the respective roles of government, producers and other stakeholders in implementing EPR in Bangladesh.
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‎Industry-focused sessions highlighted opportunities to improve resource efficiency and reduce waste in plastics manufacturing. UNIDO’s project team presented achievements and future prospects under the RECP initiative, while Akij Plastics Ltd, Exoplast Ltd and Tel Plastic Ltd of RFL Group shared their practical experiences in using materials, energy and other resources more efficiently.
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‎The seminar also examined how environmentally conscious product design can help reduce the environmental footprint of plastics. Presentations and industry experiences from ACI Premio Plastic, PRAN-RFL and Square Toiletries Ltd highlighted the application of Design for Environment principles in industrial production.
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‎The closing ceremony was attended by Dr. Nurun Nahar, Additional Secretary, and Lubna Yasmine, Joint Secretary, of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, as Special Guests. Sulaiman Haider, Additional Director General of the DoE, chaired the closing session and delivered the vote of thanks.
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‎By bringing policymakers, industry representatives and development partners together, the seminar reinforced the importance of coordinated action to establish a more resource-efficient and circular plastics sector in Bangladesh.
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‎Through policy assistance, institutional capacity development, industry engagement and practical measures to prevent plastic pollution and marine litter, the UNIDO-led project continues to support Bangladesh’s transition towards more sustainable plastics production and use.