CoRe Alliance Calls for Phased EPR Framework at “From Policy to Practice” Session, Hands Over 5,000 Reusable Bags to Pak-EPA

For context, the Collect & Recycle (CoRe) Alliance pressed a harmonized, phased and inclusive Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework to strengthen Pakistan's waste management and recycling systems and advance the country's transition towards a circular economy.

Key points

• CoRe Alliance's White Paper, previously presented and submitted to the Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination in May 2026.
• As part of the broader engagement, CoRe Alliance, in collaboration with Pak-EPA, presented 5, 000 co-branded reusable tote bags to Dr.
• Sheikh Waqar Ahmad, CEO, CoRe Alliance, stated: Building a circular economy requires both enabling policy frameworks and practical action.
• See more ProPakistani stories in Google Search and Top Stories.
• Effective EPR implementation can strengthen waste management and recycling systems, promote responsible resource management and support establish better systems in Pakistan.

Dr. Shezra Mansab Ali Khan Kharal, Minister of State for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Administration of Pakistan, delivered the opening remarks and stated, "Pakistan's transition towards a circular economy requires collective action and robust collaboration between administration and industry. Effective EPR implementation can strengthen waste management and recycling systems, promote responsible resource management and support establish better systems in Pakistan."

Sheikh Waqar Ahmad, CEO, CoRe Alliance, stated: "Building a circular economy requires both enabling policy frameworks and practical action. We need to emphasize on greater industry participation, tax incentives and easier access to financing to attract private investment in recycling infrastructure. Alongside these policy efforts, the distribution of 5, 000 reusable tote bags reflects CoRe Alliance's commitment to strengthening Pakistan's waste management systems, promoting responsible consumption and advancing sustainable packaging through collective action."

For context, the session featured remarks by Amir Mohyuddin, Extra Secretary, Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MoCC&EC), followed by a panel discussion featuring Zainab Naeem, Research Fellow, SDPI; Babar Aziz Bhatti, CEO, Green Earth Recycling and Chairperson, EPR Committee, CoRe Alliance; and Zia Hyder, CEO, SPEL Group and Board Director, CoRe Alliance.

Amir Mohyuddin, Extra Secretary, MOCC&EC, additionally addressed the session, stating, "A harmonized and phased approach, supported by clear responsibilities and coordinated stakeholder efforts, is essential to strengthening better systems in Pakistan."

In practice, the session focused on the need for a nationwide EPR framework, improved waste segregation, stronger recycling infrastructure and greater public-private collaboration to address better systems in Pakistan. CoRe Alliance's White Paper, previously presented and submitted to the Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination in May 2026. During the session, Namwar Yusuf Rahman, Project Manager, CoRe Alliance, presented a summary of the White Paper, outlining its key recommendations and harmonized approach that promotes regulatory consistency while accommodating provincial and local realities.

Furthermore, Babar Aziz Bhatti, CEO, Green Earth Recycling and Chairperson, EPR Committee, CoRe Alliance highlighted that, "The recycling sector's capacity to process significant volumes of recyclable material, emphasizing that proper waste segregation is essential to reducing processing costs and improving the quality of recycled products."

Discussions covered phased targets, shared value-chain responsibilities, industry-led Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs) under regulatory oversight, green financing, recycling infrastructure, digital traceability and the integration of informal waste workers.

As part of the broader engagement, CoRe Alliance, in collaboration with Pak-EPA, presented 5, 000 co-branded reusable tote bags to Dr. Shezra Mansab Ali Khan Kharal. Separately, a reusable tote bag handover ceremony was held a day earlier at the Pak-EPA office in Islamabad, where 5, 000 co-branded reusable tote bags were handed over to Pak-EPA in the presence of Dr. Mohsina Zubair and Dr. Zaigham Abbas, Directors (Lab/NEQS), Pak-EPA.

As part of the 29th Sustainable Development Conference, organized by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) in collaboration with CoRe Alliance at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU), Islamabad, both engagements took place on 5 November 2026. The engagements brought together administration representatives, industry stakeholders and other partners under the theme "From Policy to Practice: Strengthening Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Better Systems in Pakistan" and the "Reusable Tote Bag Ceremony." Stay Connected with ProPakistani. Obtain the latest news and stories wherever you prefer. Follow on Google Discover. Follow on Google News Join WhatsApp.

In short, coRe Alliance Calls for Phased EPR Framework at From Policy to Practice is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.