The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change fined over Tk 1.92 million and seized some 40,000 kg polythene through anti-polythene drive in November.
The government remains steadfast in its efforts to clamp down on polythene shopping bags. All citizens must follow the government's directives to stop using such pollutant bags. Otherwise, more strict actions will be taken.
Tapan Kumar Biswas, additional secretary and chair of the ministry's monitoring committee concerned, said these during a monitoring drive at New Market in the capital on Friday.
He informed reporters that 166 raids had been conducted since November 3 to implement the ban on polythene. A total of 349 establishments were fined over Tk 1.92 million, and some 40,000 kg polythene was confiscated in this month.
"Public awareness (on polythene use) is increasing, and we are witnessing gradual improvement. Efforts to eliminate single-use plastics are also underway," he remarked.
"Awareness campaigns, (focus on) alternatives of using plastic, and strict enforcement are going on simultaneously," he added.
During the monitoring drive on Friday, members of the market committee acknowledged the harmful effects of polythene use and committed to adopting its eco-friendly alternatives.
Officials from the Ministry of Environment, Department of Environment and law-enforcement agencies, and representatives from the media participated in the monitoring drive.
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