Environment, forest, climate change, and water resources adviser to the interim government, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, on Sunday announced that the government would reward markets in the capital that would be free from polypropylene shopping bags by December 31.
Speaking as chief guest at a meeting with business owners the Department of Environment in the capital, the adviser also warned that they would also take punitive measures against those responsible for selling, producing and peddling polythene, said a press release.
Rizwana, however, did not explain what the reward would be.
The government in September announced the enforcement of a ban on the use of polythene and polypropylene bags in supermarkets with effect from October 1 and in all markets from November 1, 2024.
In 2002, the government banned use of polythene but the law was hardly implemented.听
The production, transport, marketing, and storage of polythene bags are strictly prohibited by law, but the law is being grossly violated across the country.
The adviser stressed the importance of using environment-friendly alternatives such as jute bags.
Rizwana urged businesses to step up and help implement the ban.
The government is taking strict measures, and businesses are invited to partner in this initiative, she said.
Environment secretary Farhina Ahmed chaired the event where the director general of the Department of Environment, Abdul Hamid, and other business leaders were present.
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