On August 13, 2026, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change published new extended producer responsibility (EPR) Guidelines for Plastic Waste Management.
The framework makes manufacturers, importers, and brand owners responsible for managing plastic waste generated by products they place on the domestic market. Companies may collect waste individually or jointly through a registered Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO), including by organizing waste collection, recycling, recovery, and environmentally sound disposal.
The guidelines divide obligated plastic products into five categories: rigid plastic, flexible plastic, styrofoam/EPS, single-use plastics, and other products. “Single-use plastics” are from a list of 17 items defined by the government and that do not fall into the rigid, flexible, or foam categories, while “other products” include diapers, sanitary products, and cigarette filters.
Collection and recycling targets increase over time
Companies must collect at least 15% of their relevant plastic waste and recycle at least 7.5% during their first two years under the system. The definition of “collection” encompasses reuse, recycling, reprocessing, and energy-recovery routes, including production of fuel through pyrolysis and generation of energy from waste. From years three to five, the minimum increases to 30% collection and 15% recycling. The requirements apply separately to the specified categories of plastic rather than allowing companies to meet the overall target by concentrating only on easier-to-collect materials.
Companies that collect more plastic than required may convert the excess into plastic credits, which can be transferred to other obligated entities or sold internationally through a government-approved system.
Obligations phased in by company size
The Department of Environment (DoE) will identify obligated businesses in stages. Large industrial enterprises are to enter the system during the first two years, medium enterprises during years three and four, and small enterprises during the fifth year.
Part of broader plastics strategy
The country’s Multi-sectoral Action Plan for Sustainable Plastic Management, published by the Department of Environment in 2022, identifies EPR among the mechanisms intended to reduce plastic leakage and move toward a circular economy.
In 2025 Bangladesh proposed updated rules on the safety of food contact materials, which would establish requirements for food contact materials, including safety testing, registration, traceability, and material-specific requirements (FPF reported).
EPR in practice
According to reporting from The Daily Star the Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association estimates that the country generates around 800,000 tonnes of plastic waste annually, of which roughly 40% is recycled. The Daily Star also reported that local companies questioned how manufacturers could retrieve small flexible packages such as used sachets directly from households and suggested residential collection points, incentives for recyclers, and better municipal waste separation as possible supporting measures.
Bangladesh joins a growing number of Asian countries introducing EPR requirements for packaging. India implemented an EPR program for plastic packaging in 2022, covering rigid, flexible, and multilayer packaging and setting progressively increasing recycling targets (FPF reported). Meanwhile, the Philippines is increasing its plastic-packaging recovery requirement to 60% in 2026 and has begun enforcement actions against potentially non-compliant companies (FPF reported).
References
Government of Bangladesh (August 13, 2026). “Plastic Waste Management-related Extended Producer Responsibility Guidelines.” Bangladesh Gazette. (Bengali)
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (2024). “Notification designating products and materials as single-use plastics under the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2021.” Bangladesh Gazette. (Bengali, pdf)
Department of Environment, Bangladesh. “Multi-sectoral Action Plan for Sustainable Plastic Management in Bangladesh.”
Jagaran Chakma (August 21, 2026). “Producers now responsible for plastic waste management.” The Daily Star.
Read more
Jasim Uddin (August 22, 2026). “Producers now liable for plastic waste management.” The Financial Express.
