UNEP Guidelines and Standards

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) provides global leadership on environmental policy, offering countries the tools and frameworks needed to transition toward sustainable plastic use and waste management. These guidelines support governments, regulators, and industries in aligning their policies with circular economic principles and international environmental standards.

UNEP’s resources are particularly relevant for countries like Bangladesh that are actively developing regulatory frameworks such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and working toward the phase-out of single-use plastics (SUPs). These publications offer technical guidance, policy models, and best practices to help countries harmonize national actions with global priorities, including the Basel Convention and emerging global plastics treaty.

To support institutional learning and policy development, the following key UNEP resources have been made available on the PlasticPath platform:

•    National Action Plan on Plastic Waste Management 2021–2030
A strategic roadmap developed by the Government of Bangladesh with UNEP guidance to phase out harmful plastic use and strengthen waste governance.

•    Reducing Plastic Pollution through the Extended Producer Responsibility
A global technical guide that outlines how to design and implement effective EPR systems based on the best global practices.

•    Tackling Plastic Pollution: Legislative Guide for the Regulation of Single-Use Plastic Products
A detailed legal toolkit to help governments restrict or ban problematic single-use plastics through policy and legislative measures.