The government will form two new sub-committees on recycling and green growth under the existing Sustainability and Green Growth Working Committee (SGGWC) which will hold regular discussions and deliberations on critical issues on sustainable development in the private sector.
This was disclosed in the 3rd Sustainability and Green Growth Working Committee (SGGWC), took place on Tuesday virtually to discuss different tools and Policies for Extended Producers Responsibilities(EPR) for the plastic sector.
The meeting was presided over by ZiaulHasanndc, Secretary of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of Bangladesh while WasimZakariah, Chairman of Standing Committee on Research & Development, BGMEA was present.
The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) will work closely with BUILD as well as other relevant stakeholders to ensure an effective policy on Extended Producer Responsibility for the plastic sector, said the Environment Secretary.
He added that we will form two new sub-committees on recycling and green growth under the existing Sustainability and Green Growth Working Committee (SGGWC). The two new platforms should hold regular discussions and deliberations on critical issues on sustainable development in the private sector.
BUILD Chairperson AbulKasem Khan said that in addition to recycling and management of waste, we also need to promote green growth through diversification and wider adoption of environment-friendly models and solutions such as jute-based pulp, bamboo-based fiber, bio-fuel from waste, and so on.
At the beginning of the meeting, BUILD CEO FerdausAra Begum updated the meeting with the progress achieved in implementation of decisions of the Sustainability and Green Growth Working Committee. She mentioned that the Bangladesh Bank has revised the provisions and design of the Green Transformation Fund to make it more accessible for all manufacturers-exporters for importing environment-friendly machinery. Md. TahmidZami, Additional Research Director of BUILD made a presentation on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in the Plastic Sector of Bangladesh. Citing the growth of per capita use of plastic waste in urban areas of Bangladesh, he mentioned that the country should follow the footsteps of more than sixty countries around the world that have adopted some model of EPR to combat the growing menace of mismanaged plastic waste.
WasimZakariah, Chairman of Standing Committee on Research & Development, BGMEA endorsed the formation of two committees so that comprehensive policies in these two important areas can be framed.
Arif Faisal, Programme Specialist at UNDP Bangladesh said that the Government can make a action plan for next 10 years on the SDG-12 on Sustainable Consumption and Production. For control of single-use plastic, market-based solutions should be adopted in the coming days.
Nazmul Hassan, President of Bangladesh Pet Flakes Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BPFMEA) suggested that PET bottles should have some engraving or traceable mark that would enable recyclers to understand whether those are made from virgin plastic or from recycled material.
SyedaMasarratQuader, Regional Sustainability Manager of H&M mentioned that on top of plastic recycling, we should also take immediate measures to ensure recycling of other materials such as pre- and post-consumer waste in the textile sector.
Shamim Ahmed, former President of Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BPGMEA) mentioned that banning plastic solutions without alternatives won’t be feasible while financial tools like imposing levy on single-use plastic could be more effective.
Prof. Engineer Abu BakrSiddique, Dean at BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology mentioned that he has developed solutions for producing various usable material from recycled plastic.
Abu Hasnat Md. MaqsoodSinha, Executive Director of Waste Concern urged on speedy approval of the Urban Waste Management and Handling Rule that would provide a legal basis to implement EPR.
ShamimAlrazi, Additional Secretary of the Environment Ministry mentioned that the BEST project supported by the World Bank will include a component to implement required measures for waste recycling.
MrNazmulHasan, Director of Department of DOE put emphasis on Green Budget and requested BUILD to support in that respect.
The meeting was also attended by representatives from BSTI, BIDA, Ministry of Water Resources, Finance Division, Ministry of Industries, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Unilever, and so on.
