Dhaka, August 20, 2026: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has introduced the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Guidelines for Plastic Waste Management, 2026, aimed at reducing plastic pollution and strengthening sustainable waste management in Bangladesh.
The guidelines, published in the Bangladesh Gazette on August 13 under Section 13 of the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995, will apply to manufacturers, importers and brand owners of recyclable and non-recyclable plastic products produced or used in the country.
Export-oriented industries producing goods exclusively against export orders will remain outside the scope of the guidelines.
Under the new framework, plastic products have been classified into five categories: rigid plastics, flexible plastics, styrofoam/EPS, non-banned single-use plastics, and other products such as sanitary napkins, diapers and cigarette filters.
The Department of Environment will gradually enlist obligated entities, beginning with large industries in the first two years, medium-sized industries in the following two years and small industries in the fifth year. Listed entities must register within six months, with registration valid for three years.
Companies can independently manage waste collection, recycling and disposal or undertake these responsibilities collectively through Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs).
The guidelines set minimum targets of 15% waste collection and 7.5% recycling during the first two years, rising to 30% collection and 15% recycling in subsequent years. The targets will be reviewed after three years in consultation with stakeholders.
Companies will also be allowed to sell waste collected beyond their mandatory targets as plastic credits to other entities or in international markets through government-approved mechanisms.
Obligated entities must submit annual progress reports, with failure to meet reporting requirements potentially preventing registration renewal. The Department of Environment will conduct inspections, audits and data verification and may suspend or cancel registrations and take legal action against entities providing false information.
The government expects the EPR framework to make plastic manufacturers, importers and brand owners directly responsible for managing their products after use. It is also expected to expand waste collection and recycling infrastructure, formalise the informal waste-collection sector and promote a circular economy.
The initiative is further expected to contribute to reducing marine plastic pollution and strengthening Bangladesh’s efforts to meet international commitments on plastic pollution.
The full guidelines, registration forms and reporting formats are available through the websites of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Department of Environment, as well as the Bangladesh Gazette.
