Pak-EPA, in collaboration with the Plastic Free Rivers & Seas for South Asia (PLEASE) Project, UNOPS and the World Bank, convened a workshop at Pak-EPA to advance the National Plastic Waste Plan and introduce an IT-based monitoring and reporting mechanism for Pakistan. The event brought together government officials, development partners, policy experts, recycling industry representatives and academics to align on implementation priorities.
The development of the National Plastic Waste Plan was reviewed by a Senior Research Analyst from the Project Secretariat, with opening remarks from representatives of the World Bank and the Ministry of Climate Change & Environmental Coordination (Pak-EPA). A Plastic Waste Management Expert presented the goals, targets and activities envisaged under the plan, while a Policy Expert outlined the proposed implementation, monitoring and reporting approach using the new IT platform.
Participants discussed how the IT-based monitoring and reporting mechanism can provide timely data to inform policy and investment decisions, strengthen enforcement and track progress against targets set in the National Plastic Waste Plan. A panel discussion on the role of policy in driving recycling investment included voices from government policy makers, recycling companies and academia, highlighting the need for clear incentives and regulatory certainty to scale recycling capacity in Pakistan.
The workshop concluded with a question and answer session followed by closing remarks and a vote of thanks from the Director of Pak-EPA. Stakeholders emphasised that coordinated monitoring, robust reporting and targeted policy measures are essential to reduce plastic pollution and move Pakistan towards more sustainable, circular management of plastic waste.
