78,000 tonnes of waste generated from poly bags during pandemic
Reveals ESDO survey on World Environment Day
Sunday, 6 June 2021
FE Report
Over 78,000 tonnes of waste have been generated from polythene bags in the last one year of the pandemic period despite a ban in force in the country for nearly two decades on production, marketing and use of the item harmful for environment, according to a study.
The study assessed the country's situation of polythene bag usage from April, 2020 to March, 2021 by baseline survey and found that total generated waste from used polythene bags in Dhaka is about 5,996 tonnes and in the whole country it is around 78,433 tonnes.
Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO) on Saturday unveiled the study findings in a policy briefing and dialogue on Enforcement of Law on Polythene Bag Ban: Restore the Ecosystem virtually.
"According to a recent study, more than 78,000 tonnes of poly bag waste were generated in one year of pandemic in Bangladesh and illegal production of poly bags goes up to half a million a day," ESDO said.
ESDO organised the dialogue on the occasion of World Environment Day.
Experts and government officials underscored the need for strict enforcement of the polythene bag ban law from the grassroots to the highest level.
Experts observed that amidst the alarming situation of the outbreak of illegal polythene bags, an effective initiative should be taken immediately.
Former Secretary and ESDO Chairperson Syed Marghub Murshed chaired the session.
Referring to the alarming situation of polythene bag use, he called upon the government to take immediate steps to stop its illegal production and marketing.
Mr Murshed also urged the SMEs to come forward to produce more alternatives to polythene bags.
Amongst others, Ms Keya Khan, joint secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, participated in the dialogue and encouraged people to behave responsibly.
The meeting focused on a set of responsibilities to enforce the polythene bag ban in the Upazila and district levels and particularly in all city corporation areas.
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