FBCCI calls for developing EPR guidelines

Plastic producers must focus on developing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) guidelines to address environmental risks amid increasing plastic consumption within the country, stakeholders said at a seminar in the capital on Monday.

"The per capita plastic consumption in Bangladesh was 3 kilograms in 2005, which topped 9 kilograms in 2020. In Dhaka, per capita consumption is nearly 24kg. We should discuss extended producer responsibility to enable a circular economy," said Jashim Uddin, president of the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, during the discussion held on the premises of FBCCI’s Innovation and Research Centre (IRC) in Hatkhola, Dhaka.

The former FBCCI president emphasised the economic contribution Bangladesh's plastic industry makes through exports after meeting the domestic demand.

Environment Secretary Farhina Ahmed was the chief guest, while Jashim Uddin presided over the session. British Deputy High Commissioner Matt Cannell and British Council Country Head Shannon West were guests of honour.

Dr Farhina Ahmed stated that waste management is a major challenge for the sustainable development of any economy. "The government has included plastic sector in its priority list on export basket. We hope the implementation of EPR will help authorities mitigate environmental risks," she said.

The global plastic market is worth around $570 billion, of which Bangladesh represents only 0.6%. Plastic producing companies earned foreign currencies worth Tk1,342 crore in fiscal 2022-23, an increase of 18% from the previous fiscal year.

FBCCI IRC Senior Vice Chairman Mustafa Azad Chowdhury, Vice Chairman MA Momen, Chief Executive Officer Bikarna Kumar Ghosh, and BPGMEA President Shamim Ahmed were also present on the occasion.