Two salespersons delivering purchased items to consumers with a jute-made shopping bag at a super shop in the capital's Hatkhola area on Tuesday. The government has banned use of polythene and polypropylene bags in all super shops from October 1. — FE Photo by Shafiqul Alam 
Use of polythene and polypropylene bags was officially banned in super shops from Tuesday, raising costs for shoppers amid limited alternatives.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change fully enforced the ban in the super shops on the day.
The ministry encouraged the consumers to bring their own bags, while also providing information on sources of jute bags. Prices of these jute bags might range from Tk 6.0 to Tk 17 each, offering an alternative to the banned polythene bags, said the ministry.
Abir Ahmed, a resident of Mogbazar in the capital, voiced his concerns to the FE, saying, "Polythene bags are harmful to the environment, but the government needs to ensure their proper alternatives."
"A number of bags are required for taking delivery items like rice, pulses, and sugar. The customers will have to bear the extra prices of these bags too. There's also the issue of these bags' longevity."
"Unimart took Tk 29 for each bag on Tuesday, while I needed four bags for my shopping," he added.
The super shops have begun sending SMS to their customers, notifying them of the new policy, said Moktar Ali, manager of 'Daily Shopping' Rayerbazar outlet.
The Department of Environment (DoE) has partnered with the super shops to initiate a nationwide campaign to reduce the use of polythene bags.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan said, "Our aim is not to punish (anyone), but to raise awareness and stop the use of harmful polythene bags."
She said from November 1, the ban will be extended to the kitchen markets, and drive against polythene production will also begin.
The adviser made the comments while inaugurating a 'clean-up' campaign at Mohammadpur Town Hall in the capital on the day, distributing alternatives to polythene bags and presenting a three-phase plan to implement the ban.
M Zakir Hossain Khan, CEO of Change Initiative, said "The DoE should ensure that enough jute and cloth bags are available for people at affordable prices. Initially, there may be a shortage, but in the long run, they will adapt to using reusable bags."
Shahriar Hossain, secretary general of Environment and Social Development Organisation (ESDO), told the FE that the law banning polythene has been in place since 2002, but lack of political will barred its enforcement.
He opined that success of the current campaign would depend on strict law enforcement and public awareness.
The Ministry of Jute and Textiles has also pledged to work closely with the DoE and the super shops to ensure ample supply of jute shopping bags. With 20 organisations already producing alternatives, there is hope that their supply will meet the increasing demand.
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