According to a recent study more than 78 thousand tons of poly bag waste generated in one year of pandemic in Bangladesh and Illegal production of poly bag goes up half a million a day. ESDO unveiled the study finding in a Policy Briefing and Dialogue on “Enforcement of Law on Polythene Bag Ban: Restore the Ecosystem” today virtually.

ESDO assessed the country situation of polythene bag usage from April’20 to March’21 by baseline survey. It was found that, total generated waste from used polythene bags in Dhaka is about 5996 tons and in whole country this is around 78433 tons.

Environment and Social Development Organization-ESDO organized the virtual dialogue in occasion of World Environment Day. Experts and government officials express the need of strict enforcement of the Polythene bag ban law from the roots to the top. Experts says, this an alarming situation of the outbreak of illegal polythene bag, we should take affirmative initiative immediately. 

Former Secretary and ESDO Chairperson Syed Marghub Murshed chaired the session; addressing the alarming situation of poly bag uses he urged the government to take immediate legal steps to stop all illegal production and marketing of poly bag. Syed Marghug Murshed also call the SMEs to come forward to produce more alternative of poly bag.

Amongst others, Ms. Keya Khan, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate ChangeBottom of Form participated the dialogue and encouraged people to behave responsibly. The meeting recommends set of role and responsibility to enforce poly bag ban law Upazila to District and particularly in all city corporation areas. Participants also underline the need to mass public awareness and more ever promoting Zero-waste practice and living.

World Environment Day takes place every year on 5 June. It is the United Nations’ flagship day for promoting worldwide awareness and action for the environment. Over the years, it has grown to be the largest global platform for environmental public outreach and is celebrated by millions of people across the world. ESDO celebrated this day for enforcing the law on the polythene bag ban in Bangladesh. It is the Pioneer organization to ban the plastic bag that started its journey back in 1990 and still fighting for restoring the ecosystem.