Bangladesh Launches National Plastic Action Partnership

Bangladesh needs a coordinated approach across the entire plastics value chain—from production and consumption to waste collection and recycling—to tackle plastic pollution, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo has said. He called for reducing unnecessary plastic use, increasing reuse and strengthening waste collection and recycling systems to move towards a circular economy.

He made the remarks as the chief guest at the official launch of the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) Bangladesh at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka on Tuesday, 13 October. The event was jointly organised by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, UNDP Bangladesh and the World Economic Forum's Global Plastic Action Partnership. Its theme was “Collective Action Towards a Circular Economy.”

The minister said plastic pollution affects urban drainage systems, rivers, wetlands, coastal areas, public health and ecosystems. At the same time, plastics are linked to production, trade, employment and everyday life. Addressing the problem therefore requires a comprehensive approach that considers the entire system, from production and use to waste management.

Speaking about the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Guidelines 2026 for plastic waste management, Mintoo said effective implementation was essential to achieving the policy's intended benefits. This would require reliable data, cooperation among producers, regulatory agencies, recyclers and local authorities, adequate infrastructure, transparency and accountability.

Highlighting NPAP Bangladesh's role, the minister said the platform would help bring separate initiatives together, connect policy with implementation, link innovators with markets and align investment with national priorities. He declared the partnership officially launched, stressing that the government would lead the initiative while calling for active participation from all relevant sectors.

The minister urged businesses to come forward with practical solutions and investment. He also called on universities and research institutions to strengthen the evidence base, development partners to align their support with national priorities, and financial institutions to explore investment opportunities in the circular economy.

As a special guest, State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Sheikh Faridul Islam said NPAP's success should be measured by tangible outcomes rather than the number of meetings held. Effective policy implementation, improved data reliability, increased cooperation and investment, wider adoption of effective solutions, and better conditions for communities and waste workers would serve as key measures of success, he said.

UNDP Bangladesh Resident Representative Stephen Rodriques said the effects of plastic pollution extend far beyond disposal sites. Plastic waste can block drains, increase waterlogging and flood risks, and travel through rivers into the sea. Open burning of plastic and other waste releases harmful particles and toxic substances into the air, creating health risks for local residents and waste workers.

He said households should be encouraged to separate waste, while segregation should also be maintained during collection and supported by access to appropriate waste management systems.

Clemence Schmid, director of the World Economic Forum's Global Plastic Action Partnership, delivered a video message. According to UNDP, NPAP Bangladesh will operate as a neutral and inclusive multi-stakeholder platform led by the government. It will support the development of a shared national evidence base on plastics, strengthen coordination among stakeholders and advance evidence-based action.

The event was chaired by Dr. Fahmida Khanam, acting secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Attendees included Additional Secretary Mohammad Navid Shafiullah; Mohammad Solaiman Haider, additional director general of the Department of Environment; and Sardar M. Asaduzzaman, assistant resident representative of UNDP Bangladesh. Representatives from various ministries and government agencies, diplomatic missions, development partners, the private sector, civil society, educational institutions, and the waste management and recycling sectors also attended.

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