New EPR rules tighten plastic waste responsibility
The government has introduced new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Guidelines on Plastic Waste Management, 2026, making manufacturers, importers and brand owners responsible for collecting and recycling plastic waste generated by their products.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change enforced the guidelines by publishing them in the Bangladesh Gazette on August 13, 2026, in a move aimed at reducing plastic pollution and strengthening the country’s waste management system.
The guidelines cover all recyclable and non-recyclable plastic products and listed products manufactured or used in Bangladesh, as well as their manufacturers, importers and brand owners.
However, export-oriented industrial establishments that produce products solely on the basis of export orders will remain outside the scope of the guidelines.
Under the new framework, plastic products have been classified into five categories rigid plastic, flexible plastic, styrofoam/EPS, single-use plastic not banned by the government, and other products, including sanitary napkins, diapers and cigarette filters.
The Department of Environment (DoE) will identify and list the “obligated entities” in phases. Large industrial establishments will be brought under the system during the first two years, followed by medium-sized enterprises in the next two years and small industrial establishments in the fifth year.
Once listed, an entity must complete registration within six months. Each registration will remain valid for three years.
The guidelines have also introduced mandatory waste collection and recycling targets. During the first two years, obligated entities must collect at least 15 percent of their plastic waste and recycle 7.5 percent.
In subsequent years, the targets will rise to 30 percent for collection and 15 percent for recycling.
The targets will be reviewed and updated after three years of experience in consultation with stakeholders.
Organisations that collect plastic waste beyond their targets will be allowed to sell the excess as “plastic credits” to other organisations or in the international market through a government-approved mechanism.
Obligated entities will also have to submit annual progress reports. Failure to comply with the requirements will result in non-renewal of registration.
The DoE will conduct regular inspections, audits and verification of submitted information. It may take legal action, including suspension or cancellation of registration, if an entity provides false information.
The ministry said the EPR framework is intended to make plastic producers, importers and brand owners directly responsible for managing their products after their life cycle.
According to the ministry, implementation of the guidelines is expected to expand waste collection and recycling infrastructure, formalise the informal waste collection sector and support the development of a circular economy.
The new framework therefore shifts greater responsibility for plastic waste management towards businesses involved in producing, importing and branding plastic products, while establishing measurable collection, recycling and reporting requirements.
