The government will initiate a nationwide crackdown against factories producing polythene and polypropylene products starting Sunday (3 November), as part of an ongoing campaign to enforce the ban on polythene shopping bags.
Additional Secretary Tapan Kumar Biswas from the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change announced this initiative during a raid at the Mohammadpur Krishi Market in the capital on Friday (1 November) morning, aimed at curbing the use of banned polythene products.
During the operation, he shared that mobile courts would be deployed across the country to conduct raids on manufacturers.
His team, consisting of 7 to 8 members from the ministry’s monitoring committee, conducted inspections and engaged with local shoppers, urging them to adopt jute or fabric bags over polythene.
Shopkeepers were also instructed to cease using polythene bags, with a stern warning of strict penalties in future inspections if violations are found.
The government’s ban on polythene and polypropylene bags in supermarkets took effect from 1 October, leading most outlets to shift to jute, paper, and fabric alternatives for customer purchases.
Shoppers are now predominantly using these eco-friendly options to carry their goods.
Environmental Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan reiterated last month on 24 September that, effective from 1 November, all forms of polythene bags would be strictly prohibited, and no retailer should provide them to customers.
The nationwide enforcement campaign will also include specific operations targeting wet markets and manufacturing facilities.
Notably, the use of polythene bags has been legally banned since 2002 under existing environmental protection laws.
