Jumbangla Desk: Supershops have been officially banned from using polythene bags since October 1. Polythene bags have also been banned in the raw market from today. In order to create social awareness to combat plastic pollution, Shalbriksh, an organization working with environment-friendly innovations and awareness initiatives, has started a campaign calling for the cessation of the use of polythene bags in the market from May.
This initiative by Shaalbriksha is being conducted as part of their MAP (March Against Plastic) project. In this campaign, MAP employees talk about plastic pollution with the general public. They urged them to develop the habit of using sustainable alternative bags by distributing reusable bags for free.
This anti-polythene bag campaign was conducted in Mohammadpur town hall market on the day of ban on polythene in raw market. Two other organizations 'Ichche Foundation' and 'Youth for Change Bangladesh' participated in this, along with Map, a branch organization of Shalbriksh. Those who are working regularly with various environmentally friendly initiatives.
The campaign received mixed reactions from the general public. Many cited the lack of adequate and appropriate alternative systems. Some believe that the focus should be on stopping production and distribution.
Shafiqul Islam, a conscious buyer, said, 'Power doesn't do everything, people have to be convinced, this is how people have to be approached. Some conscious sellers are also visible.'
For example, a vendor named Abul Kalam did not keep any polythene in the shop. He fully supports this ban. He said that the buyers are also helping him.
However, the opposite experience is also known. Many shoppers can be seen arriving with market bags. That is very promising. But the problem is that each product bought in the market bag is packed in a separate polythene. Many of the sellers complain that the buyers ask for different products to be separated. In some cases, if there is no strong objection, the sellers are packing each product in a separate polythene according to the old practice.
The main aim of this joint initiative is to create social awareness about plastic pollution. Environmental activists participating in the campaign urged everyone to carry necessary bags while going to the market.
Note that the bags being distributed in this program are made by upcycling sarees. The purpose of making bags out of sarees is to spread the mindset of upcycling used items or converting them into reusable items instead of buying new products all the time. And thereby creating a social habit of recycling.
