Green activists yesterday (Saturday) alleged that the law banning polythene shopping bags has become ineffective due to “inaction” by the government, reports UNB.
At a human chain, they also said the widespread use of polythene bags from shopping malls to kitchen markets gives an impression that the government has forgotten that it has a responsibility to implement the law and check the production and use of non-biodegradable polythene bags.
Poribesh Bachao Andolon (Poba) and 16 other environmental and social organisations formed the human chain before Jatiya Press Club demanding proper implementation of the law.
Poba General Secretary Abdus Sobhan said around 1,200 factories in the country are regularly producing the banned polythene bags. “There are over 300 factories in Old Dhaka alone.”
He also alleged that a number of influential syndicates are involved in polythene bag trading and marketing. Sobhan said the production and use of polythene bags are growing alarmingly for a lack of the government's strong political will. Citing a study, he said over two crores of polythene bags is used only in Dhaka city daily.
The other speakers made a call for alternative bags like jute, paper and clothes-made ones and encouraging people to use those. In 2002, the then government enacted the law banning the production, supply, sale and use of polythene as shopping bags.
However, under the Bangladesh Environment Protect (Amendment 2002) Act 1995, the government in 2007 allowed the production of 55-micron thick polythene for the packaging of garment products, medicine, fish fry, sapling and some other goods and products which virtually contributed to the rise in production and the use of the harmful object.
- Courtesy: The Daily Star Jan 21, 2018
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