Bangladesh issues Public Notice proposing alternatives to polyethylene and plastic multi-layered packaging materials

The Department of Environment under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of Bangladesh issued a Public Notice on June 18, 2020, proposing that manufacturers, users and sellers of polyethylene and plastic multi-layered packaging materials that are not suitable for recycling or reuse introduce environmentally friendly alternative packaging systems. Related business operators that are not able to introduce alternative packaging systems should ensure that they manage their multi-layered packaging waste in an environmentally friendly manner at their own expense, in accordance with the Polluter Pays Principle (PPP). According to this Public Notice, the Department of Environment is currently considering the formulation of an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy regarding this matter.

The use of polyethylene and plastic multi-layered packaging materials is increasing in Bangladesh. It has been pointed out that such packaging materials are used especially for food and commodities. The waste generated from these packaging materials is not suitable for recycling or reuse, and as a result, the implementation of the government’s 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) policy is being interfered. It is also noted that a large amount of polyethylene and plastic waste is currently accumulating in drains, canals, rivers, and the ocean throughout Bangladesh, causing environmental pollution and serious damage to human health and the natural environment.

This Public Notice is issued in compliance with Section 4(1) of the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995, for national environmental protection and the public interests.

This Public Notice can be downloaded from the following URL (in Bengali).
http://www.doe.gov.bd/sites/default/files/files/doe.portal.gov.bd/notices/43bb627f_f289_4357_aa22_32aa73c1b916/2020-06-17-10-18-d3a3cbefaacbf6633a95589ffe1101c9.pdf