In a bid to curb environmental pollution caused by single-use plastic products, the Cabinet Division has issued a directive instructing all government offices to adopt alternative materials.
This instruction was issued on 5 September following a request from the Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, said a press release.
The Cabinet Division's directive calls for the replacement of plastic files and folders with paper or other environmentally friendly materials. Cotton or jute fabric bags should be used in place of plastic bags, while glass bottles and glasses are to replace plastic water bottles. Additionally, the directive encourages the use of cotton fabric, jute fabric, or biodegradable materials for banners, replacing plastic ones. Invitations, business cards, and various promotional materials are to avoid plastic lamination.
The directive also specifies that food packets provided in meetings or seminars must be made of paper or eco-friendly materials. Government offices are advised to avoid single-use plastic plates, glasses, cups, spoons, and other items. Instead of plastic pens, the use of pencils or paper pens is recommended. The use of plastic in bouquets and laminated covers for publications, including annual reports, should also be avoided.
Cabinet Division has requested all Senior Secretaries, Secretaries, Divisional Commissioners, and Deputy Commissioners to issue necessary instructions to their respective ministries, departments, and subordinate offices and agencies to implement these measures.
Additionally, as part of efforts to raise awareness about plastic pollution and take effective action, the Cabinet Division had earlier requested all ministries and departments to make the Bangladesh Secretariat free from single-use plastics, as outlined in a letter issued on 15 August.
On 28 August 2024, the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change issued a notification identifying 17 types of products as single-use plastics.
Following this, on 29 August 2024, the ministry issued an office order announcing a ban on the use of single-use plastics at both personal and official levels within the ministry and its subordinate offices, urging officers and staff to comply with the new regulations.
