Mintoo for mainstreaming waste management into climate action

He said waste management and resource reuse must be mainstreamed into efforts to address climate change.

The minister said this while addressing a high-level panel discussion titled "Can Growth Outrun Waste?" organized by the World Economic Forum (WEF) in the Blue Zone of the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, held on Friday (13 November) in Antalya, Turkiye, according to a message received here today.

Mintoo said, for climate-vulnerable countries, including Bangladesh, the circular economy is not merely an environmental conservation issue but also an important means of strengthening climate resilience, protecting public health, creating employment opportunities and promoting sustainable economic development. 

He emphasised the need for international financing, modern technology and coordinated participation of development partners to bring about meaningful transformation in this sector.

The Environment Minister said more than 100 billion tonnes of materials and resources are consumed globally every year, yet less than 10 percent are brought back into use. 

This substantial gap in production and consumption patterns is placing increasing pressure on the environment and resulting in the loss of valuable resources. 

He noted that the circular economy offers significant opportunities to address these challenges while generating new investment and employment opportunities.

He said Bangladesh is one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change. 

During floods, drainage systems and waste disposal sites are often among the first infrastructure facilities to be affected, directly impacting public health, the environment and people's livelihoods, Mintoo added. 

Therefore, he said, waste management is not a separate agenda for Bangladesh but an essential component of climate adaptation and resilience-building.

The minister informed that Bangladesh has already formulated a 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) Strategy and Solid Waste Management Rules to promote waste reduction, reuse and recycling. 

An Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework has been developed for plastic waste, while a similar mechanism for used lead-acid batteries is currently under development, he said. 

He further informed that the Department of Environment, in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), has established a common treatment facility for medical waste in Sirajganj.

The initiative has demonstrated the potential for environmentally sound and economically viable waste management, he said, adding that the government is placing emphasis on expanding similar initiatives in the future.

The environment minister said the government's election manifesto includes a commitment to adopting a circular economy-based development model for the future. 

Under this approach, the government plans to attract investment in solid waste, medical waste, textile waste and electronic waste management, he said. 

Mintoo said plans have also been undertaken to establish Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) across the country for the separation and recovery of recyclable materials, as well as an e-waste recycling facility in every administrative division.

He said climate resilience must be given special consideration when developing waste management infrastructure in Bangladesh.

"Infrastructure capable of withstanding floods, cyclones and other climate-related disasters is essential. Waste management facilities that become submerged during the monsoon season cannot be considered sustainable or climate-resilient infrastructure."

Regarding international cooperation to combat plastic pollution, the minister informed that the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) is being implemented in Bangladesh under a Memorandum of Understanding with the Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP). 

He said although the partnership initially focused on conducting a baseline assessment of plastic waste and preparing an action plan, the government is now considering a broader and more coordinated approach. 

To this end, he said, a public-private steering group comprising representatives from the government, industry and development partners is planned. 

This mechanism will help coordinate plastic pollution initiatives, avoid duplication of efforts, and identify and resolve implementation challenges at an early stage, he said. 

The minister said ongoing negotiations on an international treaty to address plastic pollution are increasingly focusing on product design and chemicals of concern.

In preparation for future global decisions, investment must be increased in resource efficiency, cleaner production and environmentally sustainable product design, he said, adding Bangladesh's plastic industry policy is also moving in this direction.

Emphasising the importance of international financing for the waste management sector, the environment minister said just as Climate Investment Funds have been established globally to support investment in clean energy, a dedicated international investment platform should also be created for waste management. 

Such a mechanism should prioritise waste prevention first, followed by resource recovery, he said. 

He said Bangladesh requires technical assistance, financing and effective international partnerships to implement sustainable waste management systems and advance the circular economy. 

Bangladesh stands ready to work jointly with the international community, development partners and the private sector to achieve these objectives, he said. 

The high-level discussion, organised by the World Economic Forum, focused on strengthening industrial competitiveness through the circular economy, improving resource efficiency, reducing waste, creating green jobs and enhancing public-private partnerships.

The panel discussion was moderated by Clemence Schmid, Director of Circular Economy Transformation and Global Plastic Action Partnership at the World Economic Forum.

Dr. Heike Henn, state secretary for the Federal Ministry of the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety of Germany, along with representatives from relevant sectors, participated in the discussion, reports BSS.