24/08/2026
EPR Guidelines 2026: A New Chapter in Plastic Waste Management in Bangladesh
For years, a plastic bottle's story was simple: made, sold, used, thrown away. Once it hit the bin or a drain, roadside or waterbody, it became the waste system's problem.
The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Guidelines on Plastic Waste Management, 2026, gazetted on 13 August 2026, change that. Now, manufacturers, importers and brand owners share responsibility for the plastic waste their products generate.
Key highlights:
đš 5 product categories such as rigid, flexible, Styrofoam/EPS, non-banned single-use plastic, and others (sanitary napkins, diapers, cigarette filters)
đš Phased rollout- large industries first, then medium and small
đš Registration required within 6 months of listing, valid for 3 years
đš Targets: 15% collection & 7.5% recycling initially, rising to 30% & 15%
đš Compliance solo or via a Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO)
đš Plastic credits for surplus collection - an economic incentive for better recovery
This isn't just about who pays for waste management, it's about who owns a product's entire life cycle. Responsibility is shifting from the end of the waste chain back to the start of the product chain.
For STAC Foundation, this is a step toward a future where sustainability isn't an add-on, it's built into how we produce, consume and progress.
