Environmental experts and policy advocates have called for an urgent overhaul of Bangladesh’s waste management system to combat the growing challenge of plastic pollution. Speaking at a recent seminar in Dhaka, stakeholders stressed the need for a coordinated national strategy to reduce plastic waste, improve recycling, and protect public health and ecosystems. Bangladesh, like many developing nations, is experiencing a rapid increase in plastic consumption—particularly in urban areas where single-use plastics dominate packaging, retail, and food delivery services. Without proper collection and disposal systems in place, plastic waste often clogs drains, pollutes rivers, and accumulates in landfills, posing serious environmental and health risks. Experts highlighted that the country generates over 800,000 tons of plastic waste annually, with only a fraction being recycled through informal channels. Much of the unrecycled waste ends up in waterways, threatening marine life and contaminating drinking water sources. The lack of segregation at the source and insufficient investment in modern recycling infrastructure continue to hinder progress. To address these issues, participants at the seminar proposed a series of reforms, including community-based waste segregation, incentives for plastic alternatives, and stricter enforcement of plastic use regulations. They also recommended expanding public-private partnerships to build efficient waste processing facilities and promote circular economy models. Education and awareness were identified as key tools in changing public behavior. Environmental organizations are urging the government to invest in nationwide campaigns that teach citizens about responsible waste disposal, recycling habits, and the long-term impact of plastic pollution. The speakers also called for updating policy frameworks to hold industries accountable for post-consumer plastic waste. Introducing extended producer responsibility (EPR) mechanisms could require manufacturers and retailers to manage the lifecycle of their plastic products, from production to disposal. Some local initiatives have already shown promise. City corporations in Dhaka and Chattogram have piloted neighborhood-level recycling programs and plastic buy-back schemes, but scaling up remains a challenge without national coordination and funding support. The government has reiterated its commitment to phasing out single-use plastics by 2030 and implementing zero-waste strategies in major cities. Environmental experts believe that with the right policy backing, infrastructure investment, and citizen engagement, Bangladesh can set a regional example in managing plastic pollution sustainably. This growing movement toward waste management reform not only supports environmental preservation but also contributes to public health, job creation in the recycling sector, and resilience in the face of climate change.
