DHAKA, Jan 7, 2025 (BSS) - The government has decided to strengthen drives against production and uses of polythene shopping bags across the country.

Public Security Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs Additional Secretary Nasir-Ud-Doula today said this to reporters at the conference room of his office here.

Earlier, he exchanged views with the leaders of Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BPGMEA), Bangladesh Plastic Packaging Role-Manufacturers Owners and Trade Association and Bangladesh Plastic Baboshayee Samity at the conference room.

Representatives of army, police and environment, forest and climate change ministry ere also present in the meeting.

Nasir-ud-Doula said the uses of banned polythene must be stopped to protect the environment. For this, public awareness and cooperation from stakeholders are needed, he added.

He said that drives are going on across the country against polythene shopping bag since November 1 last year. The drives against polythene will be strengthened further, he said.

He said that the Bangladesh Army, RAB and police will provide highest cooperation to strengthen the drives following the government's instructions.

Additional Secretary of the Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry Tapan Kumar Biswas said all-out steps will be taken to ban polythene in phases. 

Seeking cooperation from all, he said, everyone's cooperation and awareness can play most effective role in stopping the use of polythene.

BPGMEA president Shamim Ahmed said, “We must ensure that plastic pollution does not cause any harm to the environment. The use of thin polythene used in markets must be stopped.”