Dated: 14/November/2024
Dear Editor
Dhaka Opinion Magazine
Dhaka
Novel laureate Dr. Mohammad Yunus-led Bangladesh’s newly formed interim government is coping with a complex web of political, social, and economic challenges with various steps. Among the steps, the Advisor of the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Climate Change of the government of Bangladesh, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, announced a crackdown on polythene bags, which have been legally banned but continue to be used immensely in the country and causing plastic pollution. This decision is a good move from the interim government and will bring various positive outcomes including — but not limited to — decreased public health problems, reduced health care costs and an improvement in biodiversity in Bangladesh.
The amount of plastic and polythene pollution in Bangladesh has received very little attention over the years, although it has been a major issue for a sustainable future. According to the International Growth Centre, the daily waste production in the Dhaka metropolitan area is 6,646 tons, 10 percent of which is plastic and polythene items. Polythene bags have remained in nature for almost 400 years, which means the first polythene ever invented is still present in the environment. These wastes can be found everywhere, in landfills, in the streets, and in the ocean. But only 1 to 3 percent of these are recycled in the world. Polythene bags cause pollution all their lives, from manufacturing to disposal. Plastics production uses 4 to 8 percent of the world’s oil resources, and the manufacturing process is very harmful to the environment. No doubt, the crackdown on polythene will save the environment and oil reserves.
Though the crackdown on polythene bags will lead to various positive outcomes, it can result in negative outcomes. The plastics sector is huge and 1200000 to 1500000 people are involved in the industry in Bangladesh. Though, in addition to polythene bags, there are many other products manufactured in the plastic industry including packets of life-saving drugs, packets in the ready-made garments industry, doors, windows and computer parts, a sudden crackdown can cause a decrease in investments and reduce the manpower in the section, causing unemployment, which is already at a high risk of 4.27 percent. But the sector can recover from it by diverting its focus to exports and other profitable items.
But the crackdown does not bring the desired outcomes always in Bangladesh, leading to concerns. Notably, crackdowns were carried out against many other anomalies including drug trafficking. But crackdown often brings short-term outcomes rather than long-term impacts. In 2002, Bangladesh was one of the first countries to implement a polythene ban that set an example for other nations. But polythene again secured its place. This is probably due to several causes including the lack of the implementation of the relevant laws, inadequate monitoring of the concerned authority and the lack of coordination among different agencies or departments— along with an absence of cooperation from sellers and users.
Drive against polythene is desired. But implementation of the relevant laws and monitoring by the concerned authorities are also vital to make sure that drive brings long-term gains, along with short-term outcomes. Given that the crackdown will also pose economic challenges, especially for those in the polythene industry, the reasoned concerns of those involved in polythene industries need to be addressed. The alternatives to polythene bags including the Sonali Bag need to be promoted. The cooperation from others including polythene producers, sellers and users is also vital for the desired outcomes of the drive.
Sincerely
Hasin Intashaf Arpo
Studying in BBA at Department of Human Resource Management
Islamic University of Bangladesh
Kustia, Bangladesh
Email:hasinintashafarpo@gmail.com
DISCLAIMER: The views/opinions expressed are those of the LTE authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Magazine or its editorial team.
