Experts call for binding laws, unified action to combat surging plastic crisis
They called for stringent accountability within the plastic industry
Experts at a discussion meeting called for legally binding measures and a comprehensive "whole-of-society" approach to tackle Bangladesh's escalating plastic pollution.
The high-level dialogue, "Plastic Pollution, Bangladesh Legal Framework and Global Plastics Treaty," was organised by the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) at the BRAC Centre today (3 June).
The event gathered senior government officials, legal experts, environmental activists, youth leaders, and civil society representatives. Their objective was to assess Bangladesh's current legal framework for combating plastic waste and to strategise the nation's role in the ongoing Global Plastics Treaty (GPT) negotiations.
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Speaking at the event, Dr Farhina Ahmed, secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change emphasised the critical need to regulate plastic use based on necessity and environmental impact.
She called for stringent accountability within the plastic industry.
"Plastic use must be need-based, well-regulated, and aligned with environmental standards. We must reduce, recycle, and gradually eliminate plastics to prevent marine litter and protect vulnerable communities," she added.
She also highlighted existing government initiatives like the Marine Litter Project and the PLEASE Project (Plastic Pollution Elimination through Awareness, Strategy, and Enforcement), which focus on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and victim rehabilitation funded by fines from polluters.
Dr Shahriar Hossain, general secretary of ESDO, said, "Failure to finalise the Global Plastics Treaty at the upcoming INC 5.2 negotiations in Geneva could severely undermine efforts to control transboundary plastic waste."
He advocated for a legally binding treaty that encompasses the entire plastic lifecycle, from production to disposal.
Echoing with this view, Dr Abdullah Al Mamun, deputy director at the Department of Environment, stressed that combating plastic pollution necessitates action from all societal segments, from individual households to large industries.
He believes the treaty will empower Bangladesh to overcome limitations of the Basel Convention and foster stronger international cooperation.
Taslima Islam, chief executive of BELA, pointed out the absence of a dedicated national law specifically addressing single-use plastics. She referenced a 2019 High Court ruling (Writ Petition No. 14941 of 2019), where BELA was a co-petitioner, which mandated authorities to ban and regulate hazardous plastics. Islam reaffirmed BELA's commitment to legal advocacy, grassroots awareness, and active participation in treaty discussions.
Adding to the urgency, S Hassnaul Banna, BELA's legal coordinator, presented a grim overview of plastic waste management in Bangladesh.
His keynote presentation revealed that Dhaka alone generates approximately 646 tonnes of plastic waste daily, with poor segregation and limited recycling practices significantly contributing to environmental degradation.
