Ban Plastic Bags

Huge Use of Banned Poly Bags during COVID-19

In the first year of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the usage of polythene bags has been drastically increased in spite of the fact that the Government of Bangladesh has banned both production and usage of polythene bags in 2002. During the ongoing crisis of COVID-19, disposable polythene bags are used consecutively every day for buying daily commodities from markets and foods from restaurants, those goods remain covered with polythene bags instead of using reusable bags repeatedly. However, there is no evidence that polythene bags and single-use plastic items are less responsible for spreading the virus.

ESDO has conducted a study from the beginning of lockdown, about how COVID-19 Pandemic influencing SingleUse Plastic Waste Outbreak and the report has been published in May 2020. To follow up with this study, ESDO has made another comprehensive research, particularly on the usage of polythene bags in 16 major cities of Bangladesh and found that 78433 tones and 5997 tons of polythene bag waste were generated last year nationwide and in Dhaka city respectively. To share this study finding and to discuss issues that need addressing for effective enforcement ESDO has organized a Policy Briefing and Dialogue on “Enforcement of Law on Polythene Bag Ban: Restore the Ecosystem” on World Environment Day (June 5, 2021) via virtual platform Zoom with Ministry Officials and experts.

                                                 

Due to continuous advocacy the Government of Bangladesh along with the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change has taken the following initiatives

  1.  Ministry of Environment has given a directive to the Chairman of the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) to stop using plastic bags in open markets made of polythene, polyethene, polypropylene and to use biodegradable bags instead. TCB has instructed all its dealers to stop using plastic bags in response to the letter.
  2.  25 meetings with hotel, motel, and restaurant authorities were conducted and around 7000 leaflets were distributed by the Department of Environment to discourage the use of single-use plastic items.
  3.  638 hotels, motels, and restaurants have been notified to stop using single-use plastic items. It was also stated in the condition that plastic cups, cutleries, plates, glass, would have to be stopped completely.
  4.  A national committee has been formed under the leadership of the Director-General of the Department of Environment to improve solid waste management including plastic waste.
  5.  A new wing is being constructed in the Department of Environment to give proper emphasis on plastic and chemical waste. They have already submitted a draft of an action plan to stop single-use plastic items.
  6.  An official directive has given to Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authorities to dispose safely of the used polythene bags and multilayer packaging items in ships, launches, steamers, ferry.
  7.  Several decisions were made to stop single-use plastic items in the internal meeting of the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change held in December 2020 and a technical committee was formed consisting of 22 members.
  8.  The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change has also sent a request letter to the cabinet to stop using lamination films used for enhancing Government leaflets, posters, invitation letters as those are not completely recyclable.
  9.  A mass notification was sent to the manufacturers of multilayer packaging items that are not recyclable or reusable to dispose of these items under the Polluter Pay Principle to discourage the use of this type of items.
  10.  Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism has sent a letter was sent to the beach committee for ensuring the proper disposal of the used single-use plastic items by tourists and in the hotels, motels, and restaurants.
  11. The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change has already taken initiatives on updating the rules regarding medical plastic waste management.
  12. Circular Economy and Extended Producer Responsibility for Non-Biodegradable and Disposable Plastic has already been asked to be included in the planning by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change.

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Anti-Polythene Campaign

ESDO was the first organization in 1990 to conduct comprehensive research into the adverse effects of the production and use of polythene in Bangladesh. Environmental consequences stemming from commercial production to the effects on soil, water (chemical contamination and drainage), the atmosphere, plant and animals, agriculture, health, and the economy, have been successfully researched and documented and was employed as the basis for ESDO’s nation-wide anti-polythene campaign.

Under the guidance and direction of ESDO’s Secretary General, Hossain Shahriar, ESDO organized a nation-wide anti-polythene campaign in 1992, which involved the media and support by numerous organizations and public leaders. In 1999, the Ministry of Environment and Forest recognized the anti-polythene campaign as the most important national movement, while in 2000, the Ministry of Environment and Forest selected ESDO as the principle task force representative in pushing a complete ban of polythene bags. ESDO received world-wide recognition for the commitment and success of the campaign – Australia, India, Pakistan, United States of America, Japan, and European countries, have either recognized or followed ESDO’s initiative. Thanks to ESDO, not only has a global campaign emerged, ESDO has made a significant contribution to minimizing waste pollution in Bangladesh.

   

Polythene Facts

Polyethylene is a non-biodegradable, organic chemical compound found in common products such as polythene bags, plastic furniture, and kitchen materials.

But did you know

  • In 1993, approximately 1.4 million households in Dhaka City disposed of an average of 4.5 million plastic bags
  • Only 10-15% are put into dustbins, most end up in drains, sewage pipes, and open places. 80% of Dhaka’s water-logging is caused by plastic bags.
  • Polythene bags create major environmental degradation and air pollution as they emit hydrogen cyanide, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and other toxic and harmful gases into the atmosphere.
  • Polythene disturbs the flow of nutrients in the soil and reduces the infiltration of sunlight and water. Polythene destroys beneficial bacteria in the soil, depleting its fertility, which directly affects agriculture.
  • Plastic bags harm wildlife, particularly aquatic and marine life
  • Since polythene is non-degradable, it remains intact in nature for hundreds of years.
  • Polythene is an agent of cancer, skin diseases, and other health problems.
  • Ingesting polythene wrapped food is harmful to health (especially black polythene shopping bags that emit carcinogenic chemicals)
  • When burned, polythene releas es hydrogen cyanide – an extremely hazardous gas.
Stop Using Polythene (Polyethylene) Shopping Bags Because it is harmful to Life and Nature

History of the Polythene Campaign Milestones

 

  • The early 1990s: ESDO launches a co mprehensive campaign against the use of polythene and plastic shopping bags.
  • May 1993: Approximately 500 people take part in a protest supporting the ban of polythene bag production and use.
  • June 1993: ESDO hosted an Open Discussion Seminar in Dhaka as a comprehensive assessment of stakeholder and decision maker opinions regarding the campaign. 
  • October 1993: Inspired by our anti polythene campaign, 500 polythene factories were shut down in Shind Province in Pakistan by the local government.
  • December 1999: ESDO undertook a project, the Study on and Dissemination of Environment-Friendly Alternatives: Jute, Biodegradable Polythene and Plastic Bags sponsored by the Sustainable Environment Management Program of the UNDP and Ministry of Environment and Forestry.
  • July/August 1995: ESDO formally lunched its anti polythene/ Plastic campaign in America & Europe with the collaboration of University of New Mexico, Albuquerque and Green peace USA, Advocacy Institute of Washington D.C., Ashoka USA, and Friends of the earth U.K.
  • April 2000: ESDO uses Earth Day 2000 and the Bengali New Year as platforms to voice its message on a large scale.
  • 1998 – 2000: The Environment-Friendly Bag Exhibition becomes an annual ESDO event. It is held as part of the organization’s anti-polythene/plastic campaign. Manufacturers of paper, cloth, jute and cane bags from all over the country participated in the event. Winners were chosen from different categories of manufactures and given accolades.
  • November 2001: Bangladesh’s Ministry of Environment and Forest commit to banning polythene use in Dhaka as of January 1, 2002.
  • December 2001: Government of West Bengal of India imposed a ban on the use and production of polythene shopping bags from January 1, 2002
  • December 2001: ESDO takes the opportunity to strongly advertise and educate the public about the dangers of polythene and increase awareness about the upcoming ban.
  • December 2001: ESDO produces posters, leaflets, television commercials, and voice announcements, to prepare the public for the ban on polythene.
  • January 2002: Polythene is banned as of January 1, 2002, in Dhaka city and banning the production and use of polythene countrywide by March 1, 2002.

Fight agents polythene

Transcription and Translation of Documentary (23.50 Minutes, Japanese Language, Documentary by NHK)

Fight agents polythene NHK Transcription

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