Environmental, Forest and Climate Change Ministry Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today said a nationwide drive against banned polythene shopping bags will begin on November 1 in 2024. "The government has decided to strictly implement its activities to stop the production, stock, transport, marketing and use of banned polythene and polypropylene shopping bags," she said at a consultation with shop owners' associations and plastic goods businessmen here. Rizwana said initially, there was a plan to conduct drives only in supermarkets from October 1 and it will be carried out as scheduled. She said all types of market authorities, including kitchen markets, will voluntarily stop the use of illegal polythene shopping bags from October 1, while the Department of Environment (DoE) will carry out awareness campaign. Law enforcement agencies will commence the nationwide drive from November 1 next, she added. Rizwana stressed finding alternatives to plastic to protect environment and ensure sustainable deve lopment. She informed that a fair of products alternative to plastics is scheduled to be held at the DoE here on September 29 next. The environmental adviser said plastic pollution poses threat not only to the environment but also to public health and that is why both the government and businessmen must play a responsible role to this end. The secretary and additional secretaries of the ministry, President of Bangladesh Shop Owners Association Mohammad Helal Uddin, President of Bangladesh Plastic Packaging Roll Manufacturers Owners and Trade Association Abu Motaleb, President of Bangladesh Plastic Products Manufacturers and Exporters Association Shamim Ahmed, President of Plastic and Rubber Merchants Association of Bangladesh Haji Mohammad Kamrul Hasan, President of Bangladesh Bread and Confectionery Manufacturers Association Mohammad Jalal Uddin were present at the meeting, among others. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
