Single-use plastic removal
Local industry against govt’s recent move
Suggests executing the decision within 2030
FE REPORT | Saturday, 20 July 2024
The local plastic industry has opposed the government's recent move to eliminate single-use plastic for 17 goods all together, according to sources.
They have requested the authorities concerned to implement such a decision within 2030 announced by a United Nations environment assembly.
The Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BPGMEA) has, therefore, suggested executing it in phases, stopping the use of three items-cotton bud, straw and stirrer-at first.
It has sought a step to discuss with stakeholders, including commerce and industries ministries, BIDA and FBCCI, before making any decision to know the impact.
Sector insiders apprehend that the economy will be hurt if the decision to eliminate 17 single-use plastic, which is useable and handy, is executed at one go.
Currently, the country has no alternative items of the goods in question.
The insiders believe several thousands of people involved with the industry will be unemployed.
A recent circular issued in June 30, the government categorised 17 'single use plastic' products as hazardous in a bid to eliminate the use of plastic that is polluting the environment alarmingly.
To this end, environment, forests and climate change ministry has defined the products, including cigarette filter, fast-food wrap, plastic bottle and its cap.
The ministry has included the products under its 'Solid Waste Management Rules 2021'.
The products are straw, stirrer, one-time utensils, cutlery (cup/plate/tray/spoon/fork), plastic sticks (balloon stick/ice-cream/lollypop stick), plastic banner less than 100 microns, plastic covers on any poster, sachet, pouch, lollypop cover, chocolate cover, Styrofoam food packaging (biriyani packet), thin plastic films on fast food packaging, plastic invitation card, thermal lamination on invitation card or advertising products, thin plastic cover of cigarette pack/tissue paper, toilet roll, soap, shopping bag, bag made from polyethylene/polypropylene, melamine foam sponges, single-use plastic packaging of any products, cigarette filter, plastic bottle and cap.