Bangladesh Introduces Binding Plastic Waste EPR Framework with Recycling Targets
Plastic Waste EPR
Bangladesh has introduced its first binding extended producer responsibility framework for plastic waste, shifting much of the cost of managing it onto businesses.
A First Binding Framework
The Extended Producer Responsibility Guideline for Plastic Waste Management, 2026, issued on August 13, requires producers, brand owners and importers to finance and organise the collection, sorting, recycling and safe disposal of plastic linked to their products and packaging.
Who Is Covered and What Is Excluded
The guideline covers manufacturers, importers, brand owners, online platforms, supermarkets, retailers and recycling businesses serving the domestic market. Export-oriented factories producing against export orders are excluded.
Staged Collection and Recycling Targets
Businesses must initially collect at least 15% of the plastic they place on the market and recycle 7.5% during the first two years, rising to 30% collection and 15% recycling from the third to fifth years. Targets apply separately across five plastic categories, including rigid plastics, flexible packaging, single-use plastics and expanded polystyrene.
A Market Under Recycling Pressure
The obligations land against a backdrop of roughly 977,000 tonnes of annual plastic consumption and only about 31% currently recycled. The Department of Environment will register obligated businesses, monitor compliance and require annual reporting through Producer Responsibility Organisations.
Learn More:
- Plastic pyrolysis projects and technology
- Recovering pyrolysis oil from waste plastic
- Feasibility studies for recycling plants
Turn EPR Obligations into Recovery Capacity
Recycling mandates like Bangladesh’s create sustained demand for the working capacity to actually process plastic waste.
Klean Industries supplies plastic pyrolysis systems that convert difficult mixed and single-use plastics into oil and other recoverable products.
Planning recycling infrastructure to meet rising EPR targets?
You can return to the main Market News page, or press the Back button on your browser.
