Law 36-26: What Dominican Companies That Generate Plastic Waste Must Do Now

A new law that changes the rules of the game

Law 36-26 marks a turning point in how the Dominican Republic regulates plastic waste. Simply disposing of waste in any manner is no longer enough: companies that generate plastic—whether as a result of their production process or as packaging for their products—now have concrete responsibilities toward the State and toward the environment. If your company produces, imports, packages, or sells products that generate plastic waste, this law applies directly to you.

The context is not coincidental. The Dominican Republic is moving in step with international trends that are tightening the noose on single-use plastics and poorly managed waste. The regulatory pressure that already exists in Europe is reaching the region, and Law 36-26 is part of that movement.

What does Law 36-26 establish?

The law introduces the principle of extended producer responsibility. This means that whoever places a product on the market—whether manufacturer, importer, or distributor—does not end their responsibility at the moment of sale. The law makes them co-responsible for what happens to that product when it becomes waste.

In practical terms, this translates into several obligations:

• Registration with the authorities: companies that generate plastic waste in significant volumes must register and report on their waste flows.
• Waste management plans: companies must have a documented plan describing how they handle, store, transport, and dispose of their plastic waste.
• Recovery and recycling targets: the law establishes that a proportion of the waste generated must be recovered and reincorporated into the production cycle, rather than going to landfills.
• Prohibitions on certain plastics: restrictions on single-use plastics that already existed in prior legislation are reinforced, with a clearer sanctions framework.
• Traceability: the company must be able to demonstrate what it did with its waste. Stating that it was handed over to someone is not enough: documentation proving it is required.

What types of companies are obligated?

The law does not target only large industries. If your company falls into any of these categories, it likely has obligations under Law 36-26:

• Manufacturing companies that use plastic in their production process (trimmings, rejects, shrinkage).
• Importers of products packaged in plastic.
• Supermarkets, distributors, and retailers that handle large volumes of packaging.
• Food and beverage companies.
• Pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.
• Construction companies that use pipes, sheets, or plastic materials.
• Hotels, resorts, and tourism operators with significant plastic waste generation.

If you are unsure whether your company is covered, the best practice is to assume that it is and consult with an environmental management specialist or with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, which is the entity responsible for enforcing the law.

Common mistakes to avoid

Many companies facing this type of regulation for the first time make the same mistakes. Knowing them in advance can save you from penalties and wasted time.

Waiting for an inspection to arrive

The law is already in effect. Acting reactively—only when an inspection arrives—exposes you to fines and the obligation to comply under pressure, which tends to be more costly than doing so in an orderly manner from the start.

Not documenting the disposal chain

Many companies hand over their waste to third parties without requiring any proof. That is not enough. Traceability requires that you be able to demonstrate that your waste was effectively managed by an authorized operator. Keep contracts, delivery notes, invoices, and any document that proves the chain of custody.

Confusing disposal with valorization

Taking plastic to a landfill is not equivalent to meeting recovery targets. The law aims to have waste reincorporated as raw material, not simply removed from the company. The difference between disposing and valorizing is central to understanding what the regulation requires.

Not including the purchasing and logistics department

Compliance with Law 36-26 is not solely a matter for the environmental or operations department. Purchasing decisions—what type of packaging is acquired, what materials enter the process—determine what kind of waste is generated and how easy or difficult it is to manage. Involving purchasing from the start facilitates the transition.

How to start complying step by step

If your company does not yet have a plastic waste management system, these are the basic steps to begin getting organized:

• 1. Conduct an internal assessment: identify how much plastic your company generates, at which points in the process it is generated, what types of plastic they are (PET, HDPE, PVC, PP, LDPE, etc.), and what their current management status is.
• 2. Classify and segregate at the source: the valorization of plastic depends largely on materials being separated and uncontaminated. Implementing segregation stations within your plant or warehouse is a fundamental step.
• 3. Identify authorized operators: not just any company can receive and manage plastic waste under current regulations. Look for managers or recyclers that operate within the legal framework and can issue documentation.
• 4. Formalize agreements: contracts with your waste managers must be in writing and specify what materials are delivered, under what conditions, and how frequently.
• 5. Keep a record: document every delivery, every waste movement. That information will be the basis of your report to the authorities.
• 6. Review your packaging and materials: evaluate whether some of the plastics you use can be replaced by more easily recyclable materials or by options with a lower regulatory impact.

The economic value in your waste

One aspect that many companies do not consider at first: post-industrial plastic waste has value. It is not just a compliance problem; it is a material that can become raw material for other production processes. Depending on the type of plastic, its cleanliness, and its volume, it may have a commercial value that partially or fully offsets management costs.

This changes the perspective: instead of viewing plastic waste management solely as a compliance cost, some companies manage to turn it into a source of savings or even income, especially when they work with managers who pay for the material rather than charging to remove it.

What happens if the law is not complied with?

Law 36-26 includes a sanctions regime. Companies that fail to meet their registration, documentation, or recovery target obligations may face fines and other administrative measures. Beyond the financial penalty, non-compliance can affect the company's reputation with customers, business partners, and international markets that increasingly require environmental standards from their suppliers.

How Scrapmen Recycling Group can help you

At Scrapmen Recycling Group we buy, process, and valorize post-industrial and post-consumer plastic waste in the Dominican Republic. If your company needs an authorized manager to receive your plastic materials, issue the documentation required for your traceability, and effectively reincorporate them as raw material, we can be part of your compliance solution under Law 36-26. We work with companies from different sectors and sizes that generate plastic waste and need to manage it in a formal and verifiable manner.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if my company is required to comply with Law 36-26?

If your company manufactures, imports, distributes, or sells products that generate plastic waste—whether in its production process or in its packaging—the law likely applies to you. The recommendation is to conduct an internal assessment of plastic flows in your operation and consult with the Ministry of Environment or an environmental management specialist to determine your specific obligations.

What documents do I need to demonstrate compliance with the law?

You need to be able to demonstrate the complete management chain of your waste: contracts with authorized managers, records of each material delivery, delivery notes or invoices proving the movement of waste, and—where applicable—valorization certificates issued by the operator that receives them. This set of documents constitutes the traceability required by the regulation.

Do I have to pay to have my plastic waste collected?

Not necessarily. Depending on the type of plastic, its volume, and condition, some materials have commercial value and managers receive them at no cost or even pay for them. Clean, well-segregated industrial plastics tend to have better value than mixed or contaminated waste. For this reason, source classification within your company makes a significant difference in both the cost and the available management options.