The government of Bangladesh has launched the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) Bangladesh, a collaborative initiative aimed at combating plastic pollution and advancing the country’s shift toward a circular economy. The launch event took place in Dhaka on October 14, 2026, bringing together a range of stakeholders including government agencies, businesses, development partners, academia, civil society groups, and actors from the waste management sector.
Led by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, NPAP Bangladesh is established in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Economic Forum's Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP). UNDP Bangladesh will serve as the secretariat for the initiative.
The formation of NPAP Bangladesh follows the country’s 2025 accession to the GPAP network, which currently includes 25 national partnerships worldwide. The initiative aims to create a unified national evidence base and produce a National Plastics Action Roadmap that will prioritize actions, guide policy enforcement, and attract investment.
According to a 2024 World Bank report, Bangladesh generates close to one million tonnes of plastic waste each year, with nearly 70% of it discarded improperly through dumping, littering, or open burning. These practices contribute significantly to environmental degradation, exacerbate flooding issues, and pose public health risks.
During the launch, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo emphasized the need to curb unnecessary plastic use, enhance product design, intensify reuse efforts, and strengthen collection and recycling mechanisms to keep resources in circulation for longer periods. State Minister Shaikh Faridul Islam highlighted that adopting a circular economy approach involves responsible resource use, environmental protection, and a participatory system that benefits all stakeholders.
Stephen Rodriques, resident representative of UNDP Bangladesh, outlined the partnership’s ambition to demonstrate measurable improvements by 2027. Key targets include reducing plastic consumption, boosting collection and recycling rates, and achieving tangible environmental improvements in rivers, urban areas, and communities.
Clémence Schmid, director of GPAP at the World Economic Forum, underscored the importance of coordinated, evidence-based interventions to address the plastic pollution crisis effectively.
The initiative builds upon recent regulatory developments, notably the introduction of the Extended Producer Responsibility Guidelines for Plastic Waste Management, 2026, which outline the obligations of manufacturers, importers, and brand owners regarding plastic waste.
NPAP Bangladesh will also focus on promoting extended producer responsibility frameworks, enhancing waste collection and recycling infrastructure, and increasing the involvement of informal waste workers to create a more inclusive plastic circularity ecosystem. The launch event featured a high-level panel discussion dedicated to fostering greater coordination among the participants to achieve these goals.