Crcular economy to prevent plastic pollution: Minister

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md. Shahab Uddin on Thursday said initiatives have been taken to implement a circular economy method and extended producer responsibility (EPR) to prevent plastic pollution.

The minister said this while addressing as the chief guest at a seminar on 'Adopting Circular Economy for Sustainable Plastic Management in Bangladesh' on the occasion of World Environment Day, 2023 with the slogan 'BeatPlasticPollutions' at the Department of Environment (DoE) in the capital, said a media release.

The ministry has taken up the project with four targets set in the multi-sectoral action plan for plastic management, he said.

It has set a target of reducing the use of single-use plastics by 90 percent. Other targets will be implemented in phases by 2030, the minister said.

Along with the targets, efforts are underway to formulate business models to prevent plastic pollution and a separate study is being conducted on consumer behavioral change, he added.

The minister said the National Committee formed under the ‘Solid Waste Management Rules, 2021’ will review the action plans and annual reports of the local government institutions in solid waste management including prevention of plastic pollution.

If this is implemented, control of plastic pollution along with solid waste will be easier, the minister said, adding that participation of stakeholder, public awareness raising, monitoring and enforcement will be strengthened along with enforcement of relevant laws and regulations.

Chaired by DoE Director General Dr. Abdul Hamid, Additional Secretary (Environment) to the ministry Sanjay Kumar Bhowmik, FBCCI President Md. Jashim Uddin, World Bank Country Director Abdoulaye Seck, development aid agency UNIDO Bangladesh Country director Representative Dr. Zaki Uz Zaman and UNIDO Regional Head Dr. René van Berkel, among others spoke at the seminar.

Policy Exchange Bangladesh Chairman and CEO Masrur Reaz and GIZ India's Waste Consultant Kartik Kapur presented the keynotes.

Officials of government and non-government organisations, representatives of various plastic related brands and representatives of development organizations also spoke at the seminar, reports UNB.