The Extend Producer Responsibility Regime in Addressing Plastic Waste in Bangladesh: A Legal Critique

The extended producer responsibility (EPR) has been implemented in numerous countries globally, assigning producers the obligation to oversee their products through to the post-consumer phase. Bangladesh predominantly applies the system to manage plastic waste on numerous occasions. In response to growing concerns, it has initiated the implementation of EPR for managing plastic waste both in terrestrial and aquatic environments. In practice, Bangladesh, as a developing nation, demonstrates notable disparities in its EPR implementation when compared to developed countries. These differences arise from varying conditions across several factors, including the legal atmosphere, economic circumstances, and technological capabilities. This article seeks to examine the obstacles faced by Bangladesh in implementing EPR and to identify potential strategies for addressing these challenges. The study reveals several challenges, including a non-legally binding EPR mechanism, inadequate capacity building, weak policy enforcement, ineffective execution of 3R projects (i.e., Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle), and a lack of incentives for hydrothermal treatment, as well as for the integration of blockchain and Internet of Things (IoT) applications in plastic waste management. The research culminates with recommendations of comprehensive legal mechanisms, including specifications of obligations, rights, and responsibilities of all stakeholders in the plastic product and packaging material lifecycle, as well as suggests to shifting ‘circular economy’ for effective EPR mechanism in Bangladesh.