ISLAMABAD: Experts on Tuesday called for establishing a cohesive national regulatory framework for plastic management, addressing inconsistencies between provinces and aligning with global treaty standards.

They were speaking at a session titled ‘Global Plastics Negotiations and Its Local Implications: Pakistan’s Readiness’ held on the second day of the Sustainable Development Conference organised by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change.

The experts also called for creating collaborations between academic institutions and industries to ensure research aligns with practical needs, fostering innovation in sustainable materials and recycling technologies.

They suggested launching nationwide campaigns to raise consumer awareness of waste segregation and recycling.

Zainab Naeem from the SDPI, in her opening remarks, introduced the session by setting the global and local context of plastic pollution crisis. She highlighted the United Nations’ recent resolution to draft a legally binding global plastic pollution treaty and the importance of Pakistan's proactive participation in these negotiations.

CEO CoRe Alliance Sheikh Waqar Ahmad elaborated on the role of CoRe Alliance as a coalition bringing together major stakeholders from the plastic, packaging and recycling sectors in Pakistan.

The Alliance's mission is to align the perspectives of these diverse stakeholders to foster an environment that encourages sustainable plastic waste management, he said, emphasising the need for collaboration among government bodies, private corporations, recyclers and local communities.

By building partnerships across sectors, Pakistan can create a unified approach to plastic waste management and advocate for legislation that reflects global best practices, Mr Ahmed said.

Jodie Roussell, who represented the Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty, Nestlé, explained that the Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty advocated for a legally-binding instrument that reduced plastic waste and promoted a circular economy.

This coalition includes companies like Nestlé, which were committed to achieving ambitious sustainability targets, she said.

Ms Roussell described the complexity of aligning the interests of 192 countries, each with unique economic circumstances and waste management systems.

She advocated for policies that incentivize companies to adopt recyclable materials, reduce plastic production, and contribute to a circular economy.

These actions should be supported by international funding and technical assistance for developing nations, Ms Roussell said, proposing that the treaty encourage innovation in material science, where new packaging materials could reduce environmental impact without compromising functionality.

Bontu Yousuf, from WEF, Geneva, Switzerland explained how Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP) supported developing countries in their journey toward sustainable plastic management.

GPAP aims to create financing mechanisms that help countries like Pakistan develop robust waste management systems that align with international standards, she said.

Ms Yousuf discussed GPAP’s role in helping countries bridge gaps in financing, capacity building and infrastructure to meet the expectations of the global treaty.

She stressed the importance of creating regulatory frameworks in Pakistan that encourage investments in waste collection, recycling, and sustainable production practices.

Dr Basit Yameen from LUMS, Lahore, identified a significant gap between academic research and industry requirements, noting that current research often fails to address the practical challenges faced by the plastics and recycling industries in Pakistan.

He emphasised that while research on plastic waste management was ongoing, it was rarely translated into actionable solutions that industries could implement.

He highlighted the need for accurate, comprehensive data on Pakistan's plastic consumption, waste generation and recycling rates.

This data, he said, was essential for making informed policy decisions and for industries to track their environmental impact.

He proposed creating formal partnerships between academic institutions and industry to ensure research was problem-oriented and actionable.

For example, collaboration could focus on developing locally adaptable recycling technologies or alternative materials, Dr Yameen added.

Faraz Ahmed Toor from the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office described the United Nations’ ongoing efforts to help Pakistan implement a comprehensive plastic waste management strategy, particularly through the Living Indus Initiative.

Mr Toor emphasised the need for an integrated waste management approach, where collection, segregation and recycling were addressed systematically.

He mentioned that the UN was working closely with Pakistan to develop frameworks that could support an effective plastic waste management system, aligning with the objectives of the forthcoming global treaty.

He proposed that Pakistan’s government develop policy frameworks that clearly delineate the roles of private and public sectors in waste management, ensuring accountability and efficiency.

Babar Aziz Bhatti from Green Earth Recycling pointed out key challenges faced by the recycling sector, including inconsistent waste collection practices, poor-quality recyclable materials and limited infrastructure.

He emphasised the need for a structured, consistent approach to waste collection and recycling across Pakistan, as the informal nature of the recycling sector makes it difficult to implement high standards.

Despite challenges, he highlighted Pakistan's potential to improve its recycling rates, especially with the integration of informal recyclers into the formal economy.