Enforce anti-polythene law strictly

Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Bapa) and Committee to Prevent Polythene and Plastic Products hold a rally at Shahbagh in the city yesterday demanding strict enforcement of the law banning polythene shopping bags. PHOTO: STAR

They urged the government to refrain from giving permission to any company producing polythene shopping bags under any circumstances and to destroy the polythene bags now prevailing in the market.

The rally was organised by Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Bapa) at Shahbagh intersection in the city.

The speakers said in the name of export, the government has reportedly decided to give permission to a company to produce Poly-propylene and woven bags which is clearly against the law of banning polythene shopping bags.

They urged the government to formulate a policy on one-time useable products and packaging materials and to increase import duty on the raw materials of plastic as well as to form a cell to monitor the overall situation.

The speakers also stressed the need for launching vigorous campaign in favour of bags made of jute, cloth and paper as an alternative to polythene bags.

At the rally, a seven-point demand was placed to control the use and production of polythene and plastic goods in the country.

Presided over by Bapa leader Prof Dr Bazlul Haque, the rally was addressed by Prof Asif Nazrul of Dhaka University, Member-secretary of the Committee to Resist Polythene and Plastic Products Amit Ranjan Dey, Executive Member Engineer Kazi Mohammad Shish, Bapa Joint Secretary Mihir Biswash, Dr Abdul Hai Majumder of Peace, and Dr Nuruddin of Sheba.

Representatives of different organisations including Work for Better Bangladesh Trust, Nagorik Sanghati, Green Voice, Nagorik Uddog, Asia Pacific University, and Citizen Movement Rights were present at the rally to express their solidarity with the demands.