Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, said that the government will start strict monitoring to end the use of polythene shopping bags from November 1.
Additionally, actions will be taken against polythene shopping bag manufacturers. She clarified that only plastic shopping bags are being targeted, and legal actions will also be taken against any supermarket for providing them.
The environment adviser came with the warning at a special meeting held at the Ministry of Textiles and Jute in Bangladesh Secretariat on Sunday.
The meeting discussed the implementation of the 2010 Mandatory Jute Packaging Act and encouraged the public to use jute bags as an alternative to plastic.
Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan emphasized that if people stop using plastic bags, production will be halted. Public awareness is crucial, and any intentional negligence will be met with action. She further stated that initiatives will be taken to help people understand the harmful impacts of plastic bags so that they voluntarily avoid plastic bag.
Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. M Sakhawat Hossain, Adviser to the Ministry of Textiles and Jute and the Ministry of Shipping, added that increasing the use of jute bags is essential. He assured that necessary steps will be taken to ensure an adequate supply of jute bags, and raw jute exports will be halted if needed.
He assured that necessary steps would be taken to ensure adequate supply of jute bags, and raw jute exports would be halted if needed.
Textiles and Jute Secretary Md Abdur Rauf, Director General of the Department of Jute Zinat Ara and representatives from various business associations were present.
