Tackling plastic pollution in Bangladesh requires practical policies, collaborative efforts, and viable alternatives to achieve environmental sustainability without harming economic stability, emphasized experts at a roundtable titled “Policy for Progress: Building a Sustainable Bangladesh.”
The event, organized by Policy Exchange Bangladesh, highlighted the challenges and opportunities in plastic waste management and called for realistic, implementable policies to drive green growth.
Speakers stressed that abrupt bans on single-use plastics (SUP) are not a feasible solution for Bangladesh without cost-effective alternatives and a realistic transition period. They cited the failure of the 2002 polythene ban as an example of poorly planned interventions that caused economic disruptions.
Rising Plastic Consumption and Policy Progress
Dr. M. Masrur Reaz, Chairman and CEO of Policy Exchange Bangladesh, shared alarming statistics on plastic consumption. “In 2005, per capita plastic use was 3 kg, which increased to 9 kg by 2020. In Dhaka, the figure stands at 24 kg annually. While the Ministry of Environment is working on an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy under the 2021 Solid Waste Management Rules, careful impact assessments and capacity building are critical to avoid adverse consequences,” he said.
Industry Concerns and Infrastructure Development
Shamim Ahmed, President of the Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BPGMEA), warned that an immediate SUP ban could disrupt livelihoods dependent on the plastic supply chain. “Identifying what SUP entails and conducting thorough research is essential for effective policymaking. Implementable EPR policies should be prioritized, with local governments leading grassroots infrastructure development,” he added.
Maqsood Sinha, Co-founder of Waste Concern, emphasized the economic risks, urging policymakers to adopt sustainable EPR measures that align with the country’s fragile economic state.
Public Engagement and Capacity Building
Debabrata Roy Chowdhury, Company Secretary and Head of Legal and Taxation at Nestlé Bangladesh, underscored the importance of fostering a recycling culture and community-driven initiatives. “Strong waste management systems require more than legal measures. Public training and awareness are vital, alongside infrastructure development to include citizens in EPR frameworks,” he noted.
Other notable speakers included Zahid Ullah, Chief Sustainability Officer of DBL Group; Farid Uddin, former NBR member; Mohsena Yasmin, former acting chair of BIDA; and representatives from media, international development agencies, and research organizations.
Call for Collaboration
The discussion concluded with a call for greater collaboration among stakeholders to create a practical and high-impact EPR structure. Speakers emphasized the role of public awareness and media engagement in addressing plastic pollution through collective action.
