An innovative digital tax fair in Tax Zone-15 has garnered significant attention for its eco-friendly approach, marking a first in the country's tax offices.
This event, held in a zone dedicated to Bangladesh Bank (BB) officials and the Information Technology Enabled Services (ITES) sector, aligns with the interim government's 'zero waste' strategy.
The fair embraced three key principles-- no plastic banners, zero waste, and a predominantly paperless environment--making the 'Information Services Month 2024' a standout event.
At the entrance, digital service desks provided taxpayers with comprehensive guidelines on locating their tax circles, preparing returns, and accessing e-return outlets.
This innovative approach has been well-received by taxpayers, who are accustomed to seeing large PVC banners, balloons, and other environmentally harmful items at previous fairs.
"These items emit significant amounts of dioxin when incinerated for recycling. We have consciously decided to eliminate such materials from this annual taxpayer event," said Md Shabbir Ahmed, tax commissioner of Tax Zone-15, Dhaka.
"It's a green initiative aimed at reducing environmental impact through the elimination of plastic banners, zero waste, and minimal paper usage," he added.
The positive feedback from taxpayers filing returns has been echoed by senior NBR officials and colleagues from other tax zones, many of whom expressed interest in adopting similar digital formats in the future, he said.
The widespread use of non-biodegradable PVC banners has become a growing environmental concern.
These banners, made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), are omnipresent-adorning lampposts, walls, flyover pillars, and footbridges.
When burnt at low temperatures (below 1000 degrees Celsius), they release highly toxic dioxins, posing severe health risks, including cancer.
Gouranga Nandy, chairperson, Centre for Environment and Participatory Research (CEPR), said the PVC banners, not even its ink, are not absorbable or recyclable.
It is an environment hazardous item which must be banned by the government, he added.
There is mushrooming growth of digital printing businesses.
While visiting some shops in Paltan, it has been found that PVC banners have surged in popularity, with printing machines from China.
Even, it is now available in rural areas.
Earlier, environmental organisations, including the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association and Poribesh Bachao Andolon, urged seven ministries to enforce the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995, to ban the production, marketing, and use of plastic materials.
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