Bangladesh generates 192,104 tons of sachet waste annually, which indicates that 129 million sachets are used by Bangladeshi people on a daily basis. In Bangladesh, single-use plastic waste production has reached 1.06 million tons in 2021–2022 (June 21–May 22). This information was revealed in the report “Plastic Sachet: Small Packet with Huge Environmental Destruction,” which was launched today through a media roundtable by the Environment and Social Development Organization-ESDO.
This study identified the current situation of thrown-away plastic sachets or mini packs in Bangladesh to have a better understanding of the general perception of plastic sachet usage. According to ESDO’s research, these sachet products are divided into four categories, such as food sachets (40%), medicine (8%), cosmetics (24%), and stationaries. Here, tomato sauce, juice, and powdered drinks like milk, chips, coffee, etc. are food sachets. Saline packs and medicine strips are medicine sachets. Shampoos and conditioners, toothpaste, and mouth fresheners are categorized as cosmetic sachets. Cooking ingredients (7%) are included in the masala packs. We also find out about the sachet products frequently purchased by Bangladeshi consumers (353 respondents in Dhaka and Rangpur). Shampoo/conditioners (69%) were most frequently purchased, followed by saline packs (50%), instant drinking powder (30%), and many others. These results indicate that shampoo and conditioner are preferable as sachet products for users.
Syed Marghub Murshed, Former Secretary of Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and Chairperson of ESDO requested the government to strictly implement existing regulatory restrictions on the use of single-use plastic products, especially sachets. ESDO’s Technical Advisor Md. Mokhlesur Rahman, ESDO’s Secretary General Dr. Shahriar Hossain, and Executive Director Siddika Sultana were also present at the event. The event was attended by different journalists from different renowned newspapers and TV channels.