DCs asked to stop use of single-use plastic at govt offices

The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has requested the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) across the country to take measures for stopping the use of single-use plastic at all government offices in districts and in coastal areas.

To prevent plastic and polythene pollution, the ministry also asked them to arrange monthly meetings and regular discussions with stakeholders and hold public awareness programmes, read a press release issued Wednesday.

In another notice of Environment Pollution Control Sub Wing (Odhi Shakha)-1, the ministry asked the DCs to shut down all illegal brick kilns in the country, especially the more harmful ones on priority basis.

DCs were also directed to strengthen enforcement activities against new brick kilns constructed without any license. They were asked to conduct special drives in the districts where illegal brick-kilns are more than legal ones.

A meeting was held in Dhaka on January 3 for reviewing the latest status of environment-polluting brick kilns and measures taken to curb the use of plastic and polythene.

In the meeting, the Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry directed the DCs across the country to take stern actions against the illegal and environment polluting brickfields and stop burning bricks with wood by cutting trees.

Secretary of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry Dr Farhina Ahmed chaired the meeting.