Strong support for polythene bans, but wants simpler alternatives
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Photo: Collected
Dhaka: Polythene bags as shopping bags are an integral part of people's daily life. Starting from distribution of tabarak in the mosque to buying something in neighborhood shops, this polythene is needed. Once used, these polythene ends up in sewage drains, drains, sewers, canals, bills and rivers causing pollution of the environment, loss of biodiversity.
This non-degradable substance causes loss of soil fertility, inhibiting the normal growth of soil microorganisms. The water from rivers, drains, canals, and bilges is mixed with sea water and pollutes the water, which has a serious effect on the marine life.
But the hope is that the current interim government has taken a strict decision to ban polythene. For that purpose, the use of polythene has already been banned in super shops from October 1. It has been announced that it will be gradually implemented at all levels later.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan said the first plan is to gradually implement the existing ban on polythene shopping bags while inspecting the polythene bag ban initiative at Super shop Agora on October 1. We started with Super Shop. I will go out of Dhaka gradually. Someday I will go to grocery store, kitchen market. Our campaign to stop these polythene bags in the kitchen market will start on November 1.
On Tuesday (October 1) on the surface, talking to people from different walks of life in the capital about the banning of polythene shopping bags, a positive attitude was also found. People demand that the government should fully support such an initiative and implement it at all levels. However, they also emphasized on the government's steps in the availability of products that will come as an alternative.
One such Md. Raza along with his studies, he worked as a fish cutter in Mohammadpur town hall kitchen market. He needs hundreds of polythene a day. However, thinking about the environment, he wanted to use eco-friendly bags instead of polythene. But the huge price difference made it no longer possible.
Md. Raza told Barta24.com that polythene is destroying everything in the environment. Now that it's banned, it's good. I've been trying to use eco-friendly bags before, but the price difference is huge. Now the same amount of polythene is bought for Tk. 70, the same amount of eco-friendly bag costs Tk, 800. It will be good for us if the government can reduce the price here and make it available.
Tanzil Akhter is a fourth year BBA student at Lalmatia Women's College. Lives in the mess, finished the evening tuition and came to the market on the way back home. She took one kg of cucumber and potato along with Tk. 20 of green chili. The shopkeeper gave three products in three bags. Three bags were given to him in another polythene bag for the convenience of taking home.
Tanzil Akhtar, when asked whether she would face problems if the government stops using polythene in such a free manner, said, "People don't want to go to the alternative system." It stays where it is easy to find. But when that system does not exist then it will go to an alternative system. I am getting polythene now, so have not brought the bag, but when they don't give me polythene, an alternative will surely be made.
Abdul Hannan, the owner of Bhai-Bhai Store, has been selling various single-use plastic products including polythene bags for more than 10 years in the same market. Although it is his business, he is not happy with the government's decision.
Instead of helping the government, this seller said, banning polythene bags is a very good decision. Now we are getting it so we are selling it, if the government bans it then we will not sell it. Something else will come, so I will sell it. We are no longer outside the government. It should stop.
Talked to a customer named Doctor Sabbir at Jhigatala Agora Supershop in the capital. He said that polythene bags were banned once before. The government then launched an operation, but the operation was stopped later. We start things off too fast but can't keep it up for long. But now let's hope that government activities will not stop. It is a very good decision.
Aminul Islam, store manager of Agora's Jhigatala branch, said, "We are getting good response." Customers have taken it well. I haven't received any complaint from anyone since this morning till evening. This decision should have been taken earlier.
It is known that according to the Compulsory Use of Jute Packaging Act 2010, rice, wheat, maize, manure, sugar, chili, turmeric, onion, garlic, ginger, dal, coriander, potato, flour, flour, poultry feed, fish feed and bran - The use of jute bags is mandatory for retail packaging. Violation of this law is punishable with imprisonment of 1 year or fine not exceeding 50 thousand rupees or both. There is also a provision for double the maximum penalty in case of re-offence of the same offence. Also under this Act, the companies are also directed to provide the monthly information regarding the consumption of jute sacks to the concerned authorities by the 5th of every month.
However, no one obeyed the law until now due to lack of practical implementation. With the interim government active, the lamp of hope is once again burning among the people. Consumers also feel that if it is implemented to protect life and biodiversity, it will set an example. By doing this, people, life and environment will be saved from destruction.
Regarding the banning of polythene bags, Consumers Association of Bangladesh Vice President SM Najer Hossain told Barta24.com that the government has decided to stop the use of polythene, it is a good initiative. Polythene is very harmful to the environment. These floods, cyclones are also behind these. It has a big impact. So polythene should be stopped.
When asked whether the government has made any alternative arrangements for the consumers after stopping the polythene, he said, the government has stopped the polythene. Now, if the government implements the appropriate law on this, then there will be an alternative system. It doesn't seem to be much of a problem.
