Despite the announcement of a polythene-free campaign in the markets starting from November 1, production is still ongoing in factories.
Producers claim that even though the government has banned polythene, the demand for it in the market remains, compelling them to continue production activities.
However, owners of business associations involved in plastic production and imports argue: "Such an initiative to make the market polythene-free within a month is not feasible without providing any alternatives for businesses and consumers. At least a year is needed, as alternatives have not yet entered the market. Once alternatives become available, the use of polythene will naturally decrease. We will also try to shift to producing alternatives then."
On Friday and Saturday, visits to multiple polythene and plastic production factories in areas such as Chawkbazar, Old Dhaka's Debidas Lane, Churihatta, Lalbagh, and Kamrangirchar revealed that production of polythene is still happening alongside other plastic products. Most of these small-scale factories operate without licenses.
According to sources from the Department of Environment (DoE), there are thousands of illegal polythene production factories in these areas. Although a few have licenses, they are expired.
Employees and owners of these factories reported that they produce 4 to 6 tons of polythene daily.
The cost of producing polythene ranges from Tk1.5 to Tk2, while it sells for Tk150 to Tk180 per kilogram. A large polythene bag can contain about 120 items, a medium bag around 140-150 items, and a small bag approximately 180 to 200 items.
Most of the customers for these polythene products are local markets, retailers, and street vendors.
Mohammad Nadim, a wholesale polythene trader in Lalbagh, said: "polythene is much more affordable and practical compared to any other bag. If polythene is banned, what will the common people use as an alternative, especially at such a low cost? It is impossible to produce alternatives at such a low price. Still, we want to stop using polythene and plastic to protect the environment. However, we need time. We still have to supply polythene to the markets. Today, for instance, I sent 12 kilograms of polythene to three markets, including Mohammadpur. However, supplies have decreased over the past month; where I used to deliver 500, now it's down to 300."
Mohammad Rabbani Ali, owner of the plastic manufacturing company Rabbani Trading and Co Limited in Lalbagh, said: "They claim single-use plastics and polythene have been legally banned. But there has been no enforcement of the law until now. The new initiative has not involved consultations with our associations, nor has it allowed us the opportunity to shift to alternative businesses. This is not just a one-day operation for us. We operate by paying taxes to the government. How can so many businesses find alternatives in just a month? Even if polythene is banned, they could have consulted us on this. While plastic does contribute to environmental pollution, we also want to see it banned entirely. But there are no alternatives yet. When someone buys fish or meat, they can't just use a cloth or shopping bag to carry it; polythene is necessary. It would have been better to find alternatives before imposing the ban. You can't just ban polythene this way. Our business associations have already held press conferences on this matter because similar initiatives taken 25 years ago were ineffective."
Meanwhile, according to the Bangladesh Plastic Association and the Bangladesh Plastic Products Manufacturing Association, approximately 2,500 establishments are involved in producing single-use plastic items like bowls, plates, cups, and polythene in Bangladesh. Many more factories exist, but they are not part of these associations.
The Department of Environment has already issued letters to stop the production of single-use plastics and polythene.
In response to this, Mohammad Nazir Hossain, general secretary of the Bangladesh Plastic Association, said: "We work with 62 products, including polymers. The Ministry of Environment has instructed us to stop the production of single-use plastics and polythene, and we have agreed to comply."
"The Ministry acknowledges that single-use plastics and polythene are harmful to the environment, causing pollution. Therefore, we also do not want polythene to return to the market. However, without alternatives available, it is not feasible to remove polythene from the market. We need at least a year to methodically introduce alternatives and encourage the public to use them. Only then will it be possible. Abrupt measures cannot be taken. Previous attempts have not yielded any results."
In response to the ongoing production in many factories, he remarked that the demand for polythene in the market is still present. Thus, business owners will want to sustain their operations, leading to continued production despite the ban. He emphasized that as long as demand remains high, production will persist.
“Nevertheless, our associations, along with other plastic and polythene manufacturers, have instructed their members to cease polythene production as we also aim to protect the environment.”
Despite the ban on the use of plastic and polythene starting from November 1, customers in various markets, such as Shonir Akhra, Gulistan, and Mirpur, were still seen receiving products in polythene bags.
Business owners contend that they have not received any alternative options yet.
Moreover, consumers are not yet accustomed to using whatever alternatives are available. Additionally, they argue that for fish and meat, they have no other means to package these items for customers, who are unwilling to accept anything else. Hence, they feel compelled to continue using polythene.
Notably, the use, production, marketing, and transportation of polythene bags were banned in Bangladesh in 2002 based on the Environment Conservation Act of 1995.
Section 15 of the law states that anyone producing banned polythene items could face up to ten years in prison or a fine of up to Tk10 lakh, or both. If polythene is marketed, the penalty includes six months in jail and a fine of Tk10, 000.
However, after four years of the ban, starting in 2006, the use of polythene began to increase again.
In 2010, legislation was enacted for the use of jute products and bags. To date, there has been no significant enforcement of the laws.
