Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Tuesday (Sep 24) announced that polythene and polypropylene bags will be banned in all supermarkets from October 1 and in all kitchen markets from November 1.
The adviser made the announcement at a view-exchange meeting on the challenges and possibilities of banning polythene shopping bags, held at the office of the Mohammadpur Town Hall Market Traders’ Association in Dhaka.
To enforce the ban on the use of such bags, legal measures will be implemented from 1 October in supermarkets and from 1 November in kitchen markets, she said, adding that actions will be taken against polythene producers from November 1.
Rizwana said that everyone has sufficient time, and the government is also working on providing alternatives.
Prior to the meeting, the adviser inaugurated a clean-up campaign and distributed alternative materials to polythene in the market.
The adviser said 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, she said, adding that supermarkets have already placed their orders, and arrangements are in place to meet their demands.
Rizwana said the use of polythene bags has been illegal since 2002 and actions will now be taken to enforce the law in markets strictly.
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