With growing governmental interest in replacing polythene with biodegradable alternatives, fostering innovations in eco-friendly packaging has become imperative. Reports suggest that private researchers, particularly students, are actively exploring alternatives to polythene. While jute sacks and bags are often cited as viable substitutes, innovations targeting other materials could yield promising results. Despite the government's ban on polythene shopping bags, full compliance remains elusive. Superstores have largely adhered to the ban, but open markets and small shops across the country have yet to follow suit. This noncompliance is exacerbated by supply shortages in jute mills and limited availability of jute fibre. Additionally, jute packaging is not suitable for all products, and is costlier than plastic bags for carrying grains.
Efforts to discover alternative sources for packaging materials are gaining momentum. A recent Financial Express report highlighted a group of researchers who developed biodegradable plastic using water hyacinth. This innovation addresses not only the demand for eco-friendly packaging but also helps manage the invasive aquatic plant, which is widespread in the country.
The research team comprises students from Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University (BSMRSTU), supervised by Dr. Neaz Al Hasan, Assistant Professor of Fisheries and Marine Bioscience, and Md. Ushama Shafoyat, Lecturer of Biomedical Engineering at the Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST). By extracting cellulose fibres from water hyacinth, the team has created a polymer-like material resembling polythene that decomposes within six months. Their research, conducted at the biomaterial lab of MIST and BSMRSTU, was recently showcased at the University Innovation Hub Program, supported by the ICT Division and the World Bank. The team's immediate goal is to secure funding of at least Tk 10 million for further research and development, aiming to produce 120 tonnes of the material in the first year, with plans for scaling up as demand grows.
Other initiatives for polythene alternatives have also emerged. For instance, biodegradable bags made from corn starch have been developed. Derived from the firm base of corn, this material is processed into resin and then shaped into polythene-like bags. Certified as 92-95 per cent environmentally disposable by the Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), these bags contain no plastic and offer a promising substitute.
The challenge of transitioning away from polythene is not new. A ban on polythene bags was first introduced in 2002. Initially, compliance was strong due to strict monitoring and enforcement. However, within a year, the effort lost momentum, and polythene use resurged. Worse, the number of informal factories producing polythene bags increased, with more than 300 such factories reportedly operating today. Dhaka alone uses an estimated 220 million polythene bags daily.
One of the primary reasons for the failure of the earlier ban was the inadequate supply of jute bags. The government lacked preparation to address production shortfalls in state-owned jute mills or ensure steady supply of raw materials. In 2010, the government introduced the Mandatory Jute Packaging Act, but the law proved ineffective due to insufficient availability of jute packaging materials. In 2013, a circular mandated the use of jute bags for commercial packaging of rice, but millers and traders largely ignored it, citing high costs and limited supply. Some rice mill owners even filed a writ petition with the High Court. In response, the High Court, in its ad-interim order, stayed the directive relating to the mandatory use of jute bags. That too did not work, simply because there was scarcity of packaging materials from jute and more importantly, millers considered the jute sacks way unaffordable, even if supply constrains were not there. So the scarcity of affordable jute alternatives allowed the continued proliferation of polythene and plastic packaging
Against this backdrop, the need to explore alternative materials has never been more urgent. Innovations like water hyacinth-based biodegradable plastic and corn starch-based bags offer hope. However, scaling up these solutions requires significant investment, infrastructure, and policy support. While official announcements have been made about jute poly bags, reportedly developed by the state-owned Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC), no tangible results have materialised, leading many to dismiss these claims as baseless.
To ensure the success of biodegradable alternatives, the government must take a multi-faceted approach. This includes providing financial incentives for research and development, ensuring access to raw materials, and promoting public awareness about the benefits of eco-friendly packaging. Additionally, strict enforcement of existing bans and penalties for noncompliance are crucial.
Innovation in eco-friendly packaging materials is the only sustainable solution to the growing environmental damage polythene is causing. The success of these initiatives hinges on collaboration between researchers, the government, and the private sector. By prioritising funding, streamlining regulations, and fostering a culture of innovation, Bangladesh can lead the way in developing and adopting biodegradable packaging solutions. Such efforts will not only protect the environment but also create new opportunities for economic growth and employment.
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