Speaking at the campaign's launch, Head of the Department of the Environment Shina Ansari said waste management has become one of Iran's most serious long-term challenges after decades of inadequate attention.

Ansari said that although Iran's Waste Management Law was passed more than 22 years ago, key provisions and implementing regulations remain unenforced, leaving major gaps in the management of household, agricultural, medical, industrial and hazardous waste.

She said the DoE has made waste management a priority by reactivating relevant working groups and coordinating with provincial authorities and other government agencies to address the country's most pressing waste issues.

Focus on Single-Use Plastics

Ansari stressed that the campaign is not opposed to plastic itself, noting that plastic remains an important material used across many industries. Instead, she said the initiative is aimed at reducing the consumption of single-use plastics and improving the management of plastic waste.

She warned that microplastics, which enter water supplies and the food chain as plastic products degrade, have become a growing global environmental concern alongside climate change.

Ansari said many countries have adopted legislation, economic incentives or phased bans on certain plastic products to curb plastic use. While Iran has introduced some measures, she said they have lacked consistency.

She added that a 2022 government regulation aimed at reducing single-use plastic bags has yet to be fully implemented and requires stronger enforcement.

Economic and Environmental Benefits

Ansari said reducing single-use plastics is not merely an environmental issue but also an economic necessity, since plastics are derived from petroleum. Lower consumption, she said, would help conserve oil resources, support higher-value petrochemical production and reduce reliance on exporting raw materials.

More than 95% of plastic bags are used only once, she said, despite taking about 500 years to decompose in nature.

The Department of Environment is also pursuing legal reforms, economic incentives, corporate social responsibility measures and supportive policies to reduce plastic consumption, Ansari said.

Government Must Lead by Example

Ansari emphasized that public awareness and media support are critical to the campaign's success, adding that it is intended as a long-term, measurable program rather than a short-term public awareness drive.

She said the government should lead efforts by reducing the use of disposable plastic products at official events and across public institutions as part of its green management program.

The Department of Environment, which oversees the government's green management initiative, evaluates public agencies on waste management, paper reduction and other environmental indicators. Ansari said those existing mechanisms can also be used to monitor progress in reducing plastic use.

She added that cultural awareness alone will not be enough, saying economic incentives must complement educational efforts. The government's comprehensive plan to reduce plastic consumption will be implemented in phases based on public readiness and will require sustained government support to ensure lasting results.