Enforce law against use of polybags

The government must immediately enforce the law against using polythene and ensure supply of eco-friendly jute and paper bags across the country, speakers said at a discussion at National Press Club yesterday.
Use of polythene bags was banned in 2002 but the government has been reluctant in enforcing the law, they said at the discussion on the use of alternative materials replacing polythene hosted by Bangladesh Paribesh Andolan (Bapa).
Many laid-off jute mills may start producing shopping bags if the government stops the use of polythene and plastic materials, said Nazrul Islam Khan, quality control manager of Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC).
The BJMC had launched a drive to make jute bags popular following the ban but over the time polythene made its come back, he said.
“Sometimes the government's role appears to be supporting polythene manufacturers and distributors,” said Porf Bazlul Haq Khandaker, president of Dhaka University Teachers Association.
There has been no example of implementing of the law since it was promulgated, said Hossain Shahriar, an ecologist.
The polythene aggression has assumed to such an extent that it seems there are no authorities to control it, said Quazi Mojahid Hashem, organising sectary of Environment-friendly Shopping bag Manufacturers Association (ESMA).
Ziaul Haq, deputy director of Department of Environment, said they would make an effort to stop polythene production.
Nazmul Karim Sabuj, a project officer of Work for a Better Bangladesh (WBB), highlighted the harmful impacts of polythene in a key presentation.
Polythene is non-biodegradable and causes various health hazards and environmental pollution, he said.
Sabuj demanded reopening of jute mills, ban on polythene production, measures to create public awareness and limited use of plastic materials in his presentation.
Bapa Vice-President and former adviser to the caretaker government ASM Shahjahan chaired the discussion. ESMA president, among others, also spoke in the discussion moderated by Tasnim A Khan.