Despite the Election Commission’s decision from three years ago banning the use of plastic and polythene for leaflets and banners used in campaigning for the national polls, the practice continues to go unabated this year.
From ubiquitous sound pollution to the obstruction caused by leaflets in every crevice of the city, incessant campaigning seems to be leaving a bitter taste with their environmentally unsound practices. As such, it is heartening to see the EC cracking down on the use of plastic and polythene on leaflets by asking returning officers to implement the ban.
Bangladesh has been struggling with the use of plastic for decades. While most other countries have been able to either phase out or restrict the usage of the material, our nation continues to rely on plastic for far too many things. In fact, data from the government itself shows that annual plastic waste generation stands at 821,250 tons, with only 27% of the total waste being reused or recycled.
Which is why the unnecessary use of plastic for an event of national importance is both ironic and unfortunate.
Beyond the elections however, we need to look at completely phasing out the usage of plastic -- other governmental organizations need to follow suit and impose heavy penalties for the usage of plastic. While leaders in the commercial space need to come forward and pledge allegiance towards a plastic free future.
As a nation on the forefront in the war against climate change, Bangladesh needs policies which are in line with our environmentally conscious stances. To that end, let’s end the use of plastics in our everyday lives once and for all.
Thursday, June 04, 2026
