Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, has said the enforcement of a ban on the use of polythene and polypropylene bags in supermarkets from October 1 and in all markets from November 1, 2024.
To enforce this, legal measures will be implemented starting from the respective dates in both supermarkets and markets.
Additionally, actions will be taken against polythene producers starting November 1.
The adviser said this during a discussion meeting on the challenges and possibilities of banning polythene bags at the Mohammadpur Town Hall Market Traders' Association office on Tuesday.
She emphasized that the public has ample time to adjust, and the government is working to ensure alternative solutions, such as jute, fabric, and paper bags, provided by companies like the Bangladesh Jute Mills Association.
The ban on plastic bags, which has been in place since 2002, will now be strictly enforced, according to Rizwana Hasan.
Supermarkets have already placed orders for alternative bags, and the necessary arrangements are being made to meet the demand.
Earlier, the adviser inaugurated a clean-up campaign at Mohammadpur Town Hall Market and distributed alternatives to polythene bags. Bins and permanent notice boards were also installed to facilitate the collection of polythene and plastic waste.
The event was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Environment and the Department of Environment, as well as leaders from the Mohammadpur Town Hall Market Traders' Association.