The government will launch a drive against polythene and polypropylene shopping bags in markets from December next and reward the single-use plastic-free markets, said Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Sunday. “We’ll send some student representatives to different markets (for a motivational campaign against polythene and polypropylene shopping bags) in November. We’ll conduct drives from December,” she said. The environment adviser was addressing a meeting with business owners at the conference room of the Department of Environment. She asked the shop owners not to provide polythene and polypropylene shopping bags and also laminated boxes from their shops. Rizwana Hasan announced that the government would reward the markets which would be completely freed from single-used plastic by December 31 next. Civil society’s role crucial for building equitable state: Rizwana “Inform us about the markets which would be freed from polythene shopping bags, limited and polypropylene bags by December 31, we’ll surely reward you,” she said pointing at the representatives of market associations. The adviser said so far the feedback they receive from the field is that the buyers of the super shops do not want polythene bags as well. “We’ll conduct operations to super shopping malls from November 01 as per our earlier announcement. Most of the shopping malls are in compliance. We hope that we won’t need to go for operations there,” she said. Alternatives The environment adviser said the government allows jute and cloth bags as alternatives to polythene bags, not permitting bio-plastics right now without certification that these are completely safe.  “I would like to assure the innovators of bio-plastics that we will sit with you soon. If we think anyone of bio-plastics absolutely safe, we will consider whether its clearance can be given for a limited scale for some specific products.  Jute, chot and cloth are right now our alternatives,” she said. Drives against Poly Manufacturers The environment adviser said the operation will be carried out against polythene bags producers and manufacturers from November 01. Adviser Rizwana promotes healthy habits for stronger future Pointing to those who create confusion saying that all plastic products would be banned, she asked them not to create confusion as the drives will be carried out against only those who produce and manufacture polythene shopping bags. Noting that single-use polythene factories run completely illegally without any permission, she questioned what legal bindings she has to rehabilitate the factories, which have been running illegally since 2002. The adviser also emphasized that polythene poses a serious threat to both the environment and public health. She urged businesses to step up and help implement the ban. Environment Secretary Dr Farhina Ahmed presided over the meeting, while the Director General of the Department of Environment and business leaders spoke on the occasion.

Supermarket customers have expressed support for the recent ban on polythene bags, but raised concerns about the higher cost of alternative shopping bags, which they say has increased their expenses. They said the supermarkets should offer cheaper eco-friendly shopping bags or freebie shopping bags for small items.   Supermarket staff also said most of their clients appreciate the move to put an end to the use of polythene bags, but a small number of them show a negative attitude to paying for shopping bags. The no-more-polythene-bag policy is being enforced in super shops from October 1 as part of the government move to stop the use of polythene bags in the country in phases. Visiting Swapno outlet in Shewrapara on Wednesday, it was seen they were offering customers different types of eco-friendly shopping bags at various prices. Shahina Sultana, a customer of the outlet on Wednesday said, “We are appreciating the move to ban polythene bags in supermarkets but the prices of non-polythene bags are high to some extent, which will raise our costs.” Polythene bags banned in superstores from Oct 1: Environment Adviser The supermarkets should also offer freebie shopping bags for small items or cheaper shopping bags, otherwise they would go to grocery shops, said Shahina, who is an employee of non-government organisation RTM International. Another client of the outlet, Pijush Chandra Shil, who is also a private university student, said banning the polythene bags is a right decision. “We’re welcoming it for the sake of protecting the environment,” he said. Manager of the Swapno outlet Shawon Islam said they are offering the shopping bags at various prices from Tk 6 to Tk 16. Though most of the customers purchase the eco-friendly bags with smiling faces, some others show that they are not willing to pay money for shopping bags. “But we’re facing no major problem after implementation of the no-polythene bag policy in their outlet. Now we need to convince a small portion of clients to pay for shopping bags,” he said. Shawon however said they offer freebie paper bags for some items including rice, fish and pulse.  Shadat Rasel, a customer of Agora outlet in Shewrapara, said the polythene bags should have been banned 20-25 years ago as it harms the environment. Environment Advisor Syeda Rizwana urges for using alternatives to polythene shopping bags “It’s a good initiative. We’re ready to pay for shopping bags. We need to clean non-disposable polythene and plastics to protect the environment. Besides, these items are not hygienic,” said Rasel, a private service-holder.   Manager of Agora outlet Delwar Hossain Jibon said it will take time for the customers to become accustomed to paying for shopping bags. “When the ban on the use of polythene bags is enforced everywhere, a positive mindset would be developed among the people to pay for eco-friendly shopping bags,” he said. On September 9, Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan said the use of polythene and polypropylene shopping bags would be banned across all superstores in Bangladesh starting October 1. With a view to stop the use of polythene bags completely in the country, the Environment Adviser on Tuesday last said the government will strictly enforce the ban on production, storage, transportation, marketing and use of polythene. A nationwide anti-polythene drive will start in all kitchen markets on November 1 next, she said. Microplastic in Human Blood: Health Risks and Dangers