Dhaka //

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Water Resources, said that the government has decided to strictly implement the activities of banning the production, storage, transportation, marketing and use of polythene and polypropylene shopping bags.

For this purpose, a decision will be taken to conduct a nationwide campaign from November 1.

The environmental advisor said these things in the president’s speech at the consultation meeting organized with the shop owner association and plastic product traders to control the plastic pollution to deal with the adverse effects of plastic on the environment on Wednesday (September 18) evening.

Syeda Rizwana Hasan said that earlier there was a decision to conduct raids only in super shops from October 1, which will be implemented as per rules. All market authorities of the country, including raw markets, will ban illegal polythene shopping bags on their own initiative from October 1 and the Department of Environment will implement awareness programs. The law will be enforced nationwide from November 1.

Syeda Rizwana Hasan stressed on finding alternatives to plastic usage for environmental protection and sustainable development. He said, on September 29, a plastic alternative fair has been organized at the Department of Environment. Plastic pollution is not only a threat to the environment but also to public health. Therefore, along with the government, businessmen also have to play a responsible role.

In the meeting, the Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Additional Secretaries, President of Bangladesh Shop Owners Association. Helal Uddin, President of Bangladesh Plastic Packaging Roll Manufacturers Owners and Trade Association Abu Motaleb, President of Bangladesh Plastic Products Manufacturer and Exporter Association Shamim Ahmed, President of Plastic and Rubber Merchant Association of Bangladesh Haji Md. Kamrul Hasan, President of Bangladesh Bread and Confectionery Manufacturers Association. Leaders of various business associations including Jalal Uddin were present.

The traders and shop owners present in the meeting agreed with the government’s decision and assured necessary assistance.