Interim government on strict stand on polythene bag ban
October 1, 20242 Mins Read
Jumbangla Desk: Supershops across the country have banned the use of polythene bags from today (October 1). Meanwhile, the students are staying in the field with the administration for on-site supervision. The interim government is in a tough position as the ban on polythene has not been implemented even in the last 22 years.

Polyethylene

From the grocery store to the raw market, fish and meat, vegetables, fruits - all the products are given in polythene bags after sale. Super shops are not excluded. Soilab whole market system in Polythene. Although polythene was banned on March 1, 2002, it was not an effective initiative. This time, the interim government is taking a strict stand to stop the use of these bags, which are harmful to the environment.

Environmentalists suggest using jute and cloth bags as alternatives. They urge to market waterproof bags for carrying perishable and liquid products.

The supershops say that they are not making a profit on these bags. The Department of Environment has given bags of different shapes made of jute, the price of which ranges from Tk 6 to Tk 17. If consumers do not bring eco-friendly bags, they will have to buy these bags and take the products.

While welcoming the government's decision, buyers have mixed reactions to the increased prices. They believe that the price of bags will create new pressure on the expenditure account. Buyers say that the decision to stop using polythene is timely for the sake of the environment. But for this they have to pay extra money. However, the general consumers have demanded strict supervision of the government in the implementation of the decision and the cooperation of the government to ensure the availability and low price of alternative products.

In this regard, Professor Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumdar, head of the Department of Environmental Science at Stamford University said, as an alternative to polythene, eco-friendly and biodegradable bags made of jute, cloth, paper or any other material should be made available. It should be arranged so that people can get it whenever they want.

However, liquid and perishable products will require waterproof bags. There is a possibility of success if new entrepreneurs come forward in this regard. Engineer Abdus Sobhan, the former additional director general of the Department of Environment, said that those who buy bottled products can work on how to recycle and collect them later.

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According to the information of the Father of Environment Bachao Andolan, only in Dhaka, about two crore polythene bags are being used every day. And according to the government in the country, plastic waste is 24 thousand tons every day.