City Desk :
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser for environment, forest and climate change in the interim government, has said that starting October 1, supermarkets will no longer be allowed to use or provide plastic shopping bags or polypropylene bags to customers.
As an alternative, jute and cloth bags must be available for purchase in supermarkets or at their entrances, the adviser announced during a meeting at the ministry’s conference room in the Secretariat, where stakeholders discussed formulating an action plan to implement the plastic bag ban.
“Youth and students will be involved in this initiative. Starting September 15, a campaign will be launched through the media regarding the ban on plastic shopping bags, and public notices will be printed in newspapers.”
Rizwana said the Ministry of Textiles and Jute would hold a meeting with all supermarkets within a week to ensure the supply of jute shopping bags.
In collaboration with ESDO, the Department of Environment would organize a fair by September 30, showcasing alternative eco-friendly bags made from jute and fabric, she added.
Supermarket authorities and producers would have the opportunity to discuss their needs and supply chains at the fair, Rizwana said.