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Polythene and polypropylene bags will be banned in all supermarkets from October 1 and in all markets from November 1, said Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Tuesday.
She added that to enforce the existing ban on the use of such bags, legal measures will be implemented from October 1 in supermarkets and from November 1 in markets. Additionally, actions will be taken against polythene producers from November 1.
The adviser mentioned that everyone has adequate time, and the government is also working on providing alternatives.
Rizwana made these announcements during a discussion meeting on the challenges and possibilities of banning polythene shopping bags, held at the Mohammadpur Town Hall Market Traders' Association office in Dhaka.
Prior to the meeting, the adviser inaugurated a clean-up campaign and distributed alternative materials to polythene in the market. Bins and permanent notice boards were also installed for collecting polythene and other plastic packaging.
Rizwana Hasan stated that the ban on plastic bags in supermarkets is not a unilateral decision by the government but has been agreed upon in consultation with supermarket owners.
Alternatives such as jute, fabric, and paper bags will be provided by 20-25 companies, including the Bangladesh Jute Mills Association. Supermarkets have already placed their orders, and arrangements are in place to meet their demands.
The adviser emphasised that the use of polythene bags has been illegal since 2002, and actions will now be taken to strictly enforce the law in markets as well.
Secretary and additional secretary of the Ministry of Environment, director general and director of the Department of Environment, and president of Mohammadpur Town Hall Market Traders' Association were present at the discussion.
