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Given the cross-boundary and multifaceted nature of marine plastics, tackling the issue requires commitment and involvement of governmental authorities from various lines of relevant areas, from local to international level. The roles and responsibilities of specific authorities are different in any given country and region, and so are the regulations, initiatives, and measures taken to address the issues.
The governance of waste management in Myanmar began with the establishment of the National Environment Policy in 1994, which laid the groundwork for environmental utilization, conservation, and degradation prevention. Following this, the enactment of the National Environmental Conservation Law in 2012 served as an enforcement mechanism for the country’s environment policy, building upon earlier frameworks such as the 1997 Myanmar Agenda 21 and the 2009 National Sustainable Development Strategy.
In 2014, the Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry introduced the Environmental Conservation Rules, outlining the roles of the government, industries, and the public in waste management. The national government oversees policy making and monitoring, while township governments are tasked with the waste collection and disposal. Industries which generate hazardous waste are mandated to establish waste treatment facilities, and the public is prohibited from disposing of hazardous waste outside designated areas.
In an effort to address waste management in a holistic and integrated manner, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation (MONREC) developed the National Waste Management Strategy and Master Plan for Myanmar (2018-2030) in 2018. The strategy marks the country’s first step towards introducing EPR as a means to reduce and sustainably manage waste, alongside providing a sustainable financing mechanism for waste management initiatives. However, despite these advancements, as of 2023, Myanmar has yet to devise a concrete plan to incorporate a national EPR system into its legal framework.
Table 1. Summary of policies, plans, and regulations related to EPR for packaging in Myanmar.
Policies, Plans, and Regulations | Promulgation Date | Status |
Environment Policy | 1994 | In effect |
Environmental Conservation Law | 2012 | In effect |
Environment Conservation Rules | 2014 | In effect |
National Waste Management Strategy and Master Plan for Myanmar (2018-2030) | 2018 | In effect |
In recent years, Myanmar has engaged in been discussions regarding the development of an EPR, with two distinct streams emerging:
Government-led Initiatives within the National Plastic Action Plan
Myanmar is currently in the process of developing its National Plastic Action Plan with technical assistance from the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF) (MoEFCC, 2023). This plan includes the integration of an EPR system, with ongoing consultations involving industry stakeholders to shape its implementation. Next to the development of the NPAP, Myanmar is currently using a quota system for plastic imports to regulate the amount of raw material companies can obtain.
Private Sector-led Initiatives by Multinational Companies
In 2018, a number of multinational companies, encompassing Coca-Cola, Unilever, Nestle, Tetra Pak, and Loi Hein, initiated the discussions to establish a Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) to oversee waste management in Myanmar. However, due to political events and challenging negotiations among the brands regarding the PRO setup, the formation of the PRO has been put on hold. Furthermore, multiple companies are exiting Myanmar due to increasing challenges in business operation.
Updated as of 13 January 2025.
The governance of waste management in Myanmar began with the establishment of the National Environment Policy in 1994, which laid the groundwork for environmental utilization, conservation, and degradation prevention. Following this, the enactment of the National Environmental Conservation Law in 2012 served as an enforcement mechanism for the country’s environment policy, building upon earlier frameworks such as the 1997 Myanmar Agenda 21 and the 2009 National Sustainable Development Strategy.
In 2014, the Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry introduced the Environmental Conservation Rules, outlining the roles of the government, industries, and the public in waste management. The national government oversees policy making and monitoring, while township governments are tasked with the waste collection and disposal. Industries which generate hazardous waste are mandated to establish waste treatment facilities, and the public is prohibited from disposing of hazardous waste outside designated areas.
In an effort to address waste management in a holistic and integrated manner, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation (MONREC) developed the National Waste Management Strategy and Master Plan for Myanmar (2018-2030) in 2018. The strategy marks the country’s first step towards introducing EPR as a means to reduce and sustainably manage waste, alongside providing a sustainable financing mechanism for waste management initiatives. However, despite these advancements, as of 2023, Myanmar has yet to devise a concrete plan to incorporate a national EPR system into its legal framework.
Table 1. Summary of policies, plans, and regulations related to EPR for packaging in Myanmar.
Policies, Plans, and Regulations | Promulgation Date | Status |
Environment Policy | 1994 | In effect |
Environmental Conservation Law | 2012 | In effect |
Environment Conservation Rules | 2014 | In effect |
National Waste Management Strategy and Master Plan for Myanmar (2018-2030) | 2018 | In effect |
In recent years, Myanmar has engaged in been discussions regarding the development of an EPR, with two distinct streams emerging:
Government-led Initiatives within the National Plastic Action Plan
Myanmar is currently in the process of developing its National Plastic Action Plan with technical assistance from the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF) (MoEFCC, 2023). This plan includes the integration of an EPR system, with ongoing consultations involving industry stakeholders to shape its implementation. Next to the development of the NPAP, Myanmar is currently using a quota system for plastic imports to regulate the amount of raw material companies can obtain.
Private Sector-led Initiatives by Multinational Companies
In 2018, a number of multinational companies, encompassing Coca-Cola, Unilever, Nestle, Tetra Pak, and Loi Hein, initiated the discussions to establish a Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) to oversee waste management in Myanmar. However, due to political events and challenging negotiations among the brands regarding the PRO setup, the formation of the PRO has been put on hold. Furthermore, multiple companies are exiting Myanmar due to increasing challenges in business operation.
Updated as of 13 January 2025.
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