The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in association with the Department of Environment (DoE) Friday conducted a drive in the capital city to prevent the use of banned polythene shopping bags. A team inspected Mohammadpur Agricultural Market and several nearby supermarkets in the capital. During the drive, members of the monitoring committee urged shop owners to use jute and cloth bags instead of polythene. Vendors were instructed to cease using polythene bags, with a warning that strict actions would be taken if polythene bags were found during future inspections.

The pervasive use of polythene bags has been a critical environmental issue in Bangladesh, posing severe consequences to ecosystems, human health, and urban infrastructure. Despite a nationwide ban on polythene shopping bags implemented decades ago, these single-use plastics continue to proliferate, largely due to inadequate enforcement and limited public awareness. The recent drive by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, in partnership with the Department of Environment (DoE), to curb polythene use in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur Agricultural Market and nearby supermarkets, highlights a renewed commitment to tackle this pressing environmental hazard. However, to achieve lasting change, a sustained, multi-pronged approach is essential.

Polythene bags, often discarded carelessly, are notoriously non-biodegradable. They persist in the environment for hundreds of years, fragmenting into microplastics that contaminate soil, waterways, and ultimately the food chain. In Bangladesh, where waste management infrastructure struggles to cope with urban demands, the impact of these plastics is particularly acute. Dhaka, a city of over 20 million people, grapples with clogged drainage systems worsened by polythene waste. During the monsoon season, this blockage contributes to flooding, creating public health hazards and impeding daily life. Recent studies show that nearly 20% of Dhaka’s waterlogging issues can be attributed to plastic pollution, with polythene bags playing a significant role.

The environmental toll of polythene bags extends beyond drainage blockages. As these plastics break down, they release toxic chemicals into the soil and water, disrupting plant growth and contaminating groundwater, a crucial resource for millions. The chemicals in plastic products have been linked to hormone disruption and developmental issues in humans and animals alike. Marine and terrestrial animals often mistake polythene bags for food, leading to ingestion that can result in injury or death. In coastal areas of Bangladesh, where fishing and tourism are vital economic sectors, the impact of polythene pollution on marine life has direct financial consequences.