Weak enforcement keeps polythene thriving: Insiders

City Desk:

More than 15 months after the government imposed a ban on polythene in retail markets; the banned plastic continues to be widely used across city streets and rural bazars in Bangladesh, reflecting weak enforcement and easy availability, according to market observers and industry insiders.

“Across Dhaka and other major towns, shoppers leave markets with bags full of banned polythene, with neither sellers nor buyers appearing to exercise caution or awareness,” said Hasan Shahriar, businessman.

Despite laws existing for over two decades, he said, polythene remains a persistent feature of daily commerce.
Analysts, including environmentalists and journalists, insist that without robust enforcement, assured alternative supplies, and a crackdown on entrenched syndicates, the country’s attempts to curb plastic usage are doomed to repeatedly falter.

Fighting for environmental protection requires more than legislation; it needs pragmatic planning and political will, they said.

Field visits to Dhaka’s markets reveal that fish, meat, vegetables, fruits, and groceries are all still sold in polythene. Vendors cite its low cost, availability, and convenience as key reasons for continuing its use, while buyers face no additional cost, reports UNB.

In contrast, alternatives such as paper, cloth, or jute bags remain largely absent. Some supermarkets in the capital have reportedly reduced polythene usage, but the change has yet to spread widely.

Before the interim government’s enforcement drive, several rounds of consultations took place with environmental advisers and stakeholders.

Traders were given deadlines to comply with the ban, yet polythene reappears in large markets, bazaars, and alleyways shortly after enforcement actions.