New platform aims to curb plastic pollution nationwide
The government on Tuesday launched the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) to coordinate efforts by government agencies, businesses, development partners and civil society to tackle plastic pollution and promote a circular economy.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo formally launched the initiative at a city hotel, stressing the need for stronger coordination and effective enforcement of plastic waste management policies.
The partnership brings together the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the Department of Environment (DoE), UNDP Bangladesh and the World Economic Forum’s Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP).
Addressing the event as chief guest, Mintoo thanked UNDP Bangladesh and the World Economic Forum for working with the ministry and the DoE to establish the platform.
He said plastic pollution posed serious threats to public health and ecosystems, affecting urban areas, rivers, wetlands and coastal regions. However, plastics remained deeply connected to trade, employment, business and everyday life, requiring a comprehensive approach to address the problem.
The minister called for action across the entire plastics value chain rather than focusing solely on waste disposal.
He said a circular economy could reduce plastic consumption, encourage reuse, extend the lifespan of materials and improve waste collection and recycling, while delivering environmental, social and economic benefits.
Referring to the recently issued Guidelines for Plastic Waste Management 2026, Mintoo said the framework defined the responsibilities of manufacturers, importers and brand owners and provided for the collection and recycling of plastic waste. Producers could fulfil their obligations individually or collectively through producer responsibility organisations, he added.
However, he cautioned that the guidelines would be effective only if backed by proper enforcement, reliable data, stakeholder cooperation, adequate collection and recycling facilities, viable markets, transparency and accountability.
“Policies achieve their purpose only when they can be implemented effectively,” he said, calling for closer cooperation among producers, regulators, researchers and local authorities.
Mintoo said several institutions were already working on plastic waste management in Bangladesh and that their existing efforts could be strengthened through the new partnership.
The NPAP would help coordinate initiatives, address information gaps and link policy commitments with implementation, innovation with market opportunities, and national priorities with investment, he added.
The minister urged businesses to develop innovative materials and industrial solutions, research institutions to generate stronger evidence, and development partners to align their assistance with national priorities. He also called on financial institutions to explore investment opportunities in the circular economy.
He stressed that civil society organisations should ensure community participation, while workers involved in collecting, sorting and recycling waste should be given opportunities to share their practical knowledge and identify their needs.
The partnership’s success, he said, should be measured by tangible results rather than the number of meetings held. These should include better policy implementation, stronger collaboration, increased investment, wider adoption of practical solutions and improved working conditions for waste-sector workers.
Held under the theme “Unifying Action to Move to a Circular Economy”, the event brought together around 150 representatives from government agencies, businesses, development organisations, civil society, academia, research institutions and the waste management sector.
UNDP Bangladesh Resident Representative Stephen Rodriques delivered the welcome address.
Other speakers included Sayed Monjurul Hoque, NPAP Bangladesh project manager at UNDP Bangladesh; Clémence Schmid, GPAP director at the World Economic Forum; Mohammed Solaiman Haider, additional director general of the DoE; Shaikh Faridul Islam, state minister for environment, forest and climate change; and Dr Fahmida Khanom, acting secretary of the ministry.
Following the launch, a high-level panel discussion titled “Breaking Silos: Building a Plastic Circularity Ecosystem” was held, moderated by Sarder M. Asaduzzaman, assistant resident representative of UNDP Bangladesh.
