An article published on July 7, 2026, highlights the persistent problem of polythene bag use in Bangladesh despite existing legal bans. Under the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act of 1995, the government has the authority to prohibit the production, import, and sale of environmentally harmful polythene and plastic materials. Although enforcement initially reduced usage after severe flooding in 2004, weak monitoring since 2008 has allowed illegal production and free distribution to return.
The article notes that one-time-use polythene bags have become pervasive across cities and rural areas, clogging drains and polluting soil and waterways. Efforts by the interim government’s trade and environment advisers to promote jute bags have faced public resistance due to cost differences. The author argues that instead of maintaining a full ban, the government could impose high tariffs, taxes, and VAT on polythene bags so that their retail price exceeds 20–30 taka, discouraging use and encouraging consumers to switch to reusable jute alternatives.
Such a policy could simultaneously reduce environmental damage and generate significant government revenue, similar to existing high-tax models on cigarettes and soft drinks.
সৈয়দ আসিফ ইকবাল প্রকাশ : ০৭ জুলাই ২০২৬, ০৯: ৪২ ‘বাংলাদেশ পরিবেশ সংরক্ষণ আইন, ১৯৯৫’-এর ৬(ক) ধারামতে, সরকার সব ধরনের পলিথিন শপিং ব্যাগ বা পলিইথাইলিন বা পলিপ্রপাইলিনের সামগ্রী, যা পরিবেশের জন্য ক্ষতিকর, তা উৎপাদন, আমদানি, বাজারজাতকরণ, বিক্রি ও বিক্রির জ
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