Dhaka:A seminar held at the Westin Dhaka on Thursday emphasized the necessity of adopting circular approaches in the production and use of plastics to combat pollution in Bangladesh. The event, organized by the Department of Environment (DoE) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), gathered government officials, industry representatives, and development partners.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the seminar focused on translating policy into practical action, leveraging industry experiences to enhance resource efficiency and minimize waste. The initiative aims to advance Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP), and Design for Environment (DfE) within the country's plastics sector.
The project, entitled 'Integrated Approach towards Sustainable Plastics Use and Marine Litter Prevention in Bangladesh,' is being implemented by UNIDO in collaboration with the DoE, with funding from the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Dhaka. The event featured notable attendees, including the Ambassador of Norway to Bangladesh, Håkon Arald Gulbrandsen, and UNIDO Country Representative in Bangladesh, Alamgir Hossain.
The seminar's technical session scrutinized the transition of Bangladesh from EPR policy formulation to execution. National Expert Maqsood Sinha presented strategies for advancing EPR, which was followed by a panel discussion moderated by former UNIDO Country Representative Dr. Zaki Uz Zaman. The discussions highlighted the roles of various stakeholders in the effective implementation of EPR.
Afternoon sessions concentrated on real-world industry changes, with UNIDO's project team showcasing achievements and future prospects under RECP. Companies like Akij Plastics Ltd, Exoplast Ltd, and Tel Plastic Ltd of RFL Group shared their experiences, focusing on efficient resource utilization and waste reduction in plastics manufacturing.