Challenge and Opportunities
Pakistan is facing an urgent plastic waste crisis, driven by rapid population growth and rising per-capita consumption. The country generates 3 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, yet only 4% is recycled—a volume that could stack as high as two K2 mountains.
This crisis threatens both land and marine ecosystems, with the most severe impact on vulnerable communities within the plastics value chain - particularly waste workers, women, and children, who bear the heaviest burden.
However, Pakistan is taking bold steps to tackle plastic pollution. Following its 2019 plastic bag ban-led by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination in conjunction with the World Economic Forum-the country joined the Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP) in 2022, launching its National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP). This multi-stakeholder platform brings together government, businesses, civil society, and informal workers to accelerate the transition to a circular plastics economy.
In 2024, Pakistan NPAP unveiled an ambitious roadmap outlining a clear path to a 76% reduction in plastic pollution by 2040. On the ground, the NPAP is actively working with UNDP Pakistan to turn these commitments into action through transformative initiatives.
The Pakistan National Plastic Action Partnership
2022
March
Pakistan NPAP: Official Launch
Ahead of the fifth United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5), Pakistan's Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination joined GPAP to launch the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP).
October
Pakistan Landscape Analysis
In October 2022, Pakistan NPAP released a comprehensive Landscape Analysis, combining desk research and stakeholder interviews from across the country to assess the state of plastic waste management.
December
Pakistan Gender Equity and Social Context Assessment
To address the social dimensions of plastic pollution, a Gender Equity and Social Context Assessment was conducted, highlighting how marginalized communities—especially waste workers, women, and children—are disproportionately affected. The assessment also outlines solutions for a more inclusive approach to tackling plastic waste.
2024
December
Pakistan National Action Roadmap to Reduce Plastic Pollution
The Pakistan National Action Roadmap provides an in-depth evaluation of the country's plastic ecosystem, shedding light on waste generation, mismanagement, and environmental leakage, while outlining key actions to drive a circular plastics economy.
Pakistan National Action Roadmap to Reduce Plastic Pollution
The Pakistan National Action Roadmap offers a comprehensive analysis of the country's plastic ecosystem, emphasizing key challenges such as waste generation, mismanagement, and environmental leakage.
Serving as a strategic blueprint, the roadmap outlines targeted interventions for stakeholders across sectors to drive meaningful action toward a circular plastics economy.
Pakistan Gender Equity and Social Context Assessment
Understanding the human impact of plastic pollution is essential for designing effective and equitable solutions. In Pakistan, waste workers, women, and children are among the most affected by the plastics crisis.
This Social Context Assessment examines the human dimensions of plastic pollution, highlighting the disproportionate burden on marginalized communities and proposing actionable solutions for change.
Pakistan Landscape Analysis
This report presents the findings of an early assessment conducted in Pakistan between November 2021 and January 2022. Combining desk research with interviews from diverse stakeholders across the country, the analysis laid the groundwork for the development of the National Action Roadmap.
Cross-sector support
