Dhaka: Mobile courts of the Environment Ministry have taken decisive action against the unlawful production and sale of polythene shopping bags, imposing fines totaling Taka 6,13,700 on 142 shops and establishments. In a comprehensive anti-polythene drive conducted over the course of a week, authorities seized a significant quantity of 12,696 kgs of polythene.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the crackdown began on November 3 across various city markets and malls. The Environment Ministry released a statement today detailing the enforcement efforts and public awareness campaigns conducted at prominent locations such as Banani kitchen market, Banani DCC market, Cherry Shopping Complex, and Shwapno Super Shop.
The awareness campaign, led by Additional Secretary Tapan Kumar Biswas, alongside Joint Secretary Mohammad Rezaul Karim, Deputy Secretary Rubina Ferdousi, and other committee members, focused on educating the public about the environmental hazards of polythene use. Leaflets were distributed enc
ouraging the adoption of jute and fabric bags as eco-friendly alternatives. The officials also issued stern warnings, emphasizing that strict measures would be implemented against any shop found possessing polythene.
In addition to these efforts, an illegal polythene manufacturing factory was identified and shut down, further underscoring the ministry’s commitment to curbing the use and distribution of harmful polythene products in the city.