Bangladesh Requests Policy Shift For Recyclable Plastics Imports

Bangladesh’s textile millers have urged the government to allow the import of recyclable plastics and provide adequate support for utilizing plastic flakes and polyester staple fibre (PSF) products, which are produced following proper procedures. Showkat Aziz Russell, president of the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), highlighted that these products could serve as import substitutes and significantly boost the economy by generating foreign exchange through exports.

In a letter to the country’s chief adviser, BTMA emphasized that permitting the import of recyclable plastics and textile waste, with a 5% duty for use in recycling textile industries, could contribute an additional $40–$50 billion in export earnings annually. The association also called for safeguarding the interests of the domestic industry by facilitating the import of all types of textile waste, a vital raw material for mills producing recycled fibre.

Additionally, BTMA requested a revision of the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change’s notification issued on August 27, 2024, and proposed a meeting with stakeholders to determine a suitable policy. Bangladesh currently imports around 1,200 tonnes of PSF annually, and domestic production of PSF could save the country $150 million in foreign exchange.