Not so long ago, life in Bangladesh was unthinkable without polythene bags. Shops, markets or household, polythene bags were just everywhere. Yet as the nation continued this deadly practice, a dark and omnious future was slowing coming into reality. Before we knew it, these reusable wonder bags had slowly started clogging up our drainage and causing serious environmental concerns.
A decade ago, the Bangladesh government decided to sever our citizens’ from this pernicious product, by banning its use across the country.
Despite the measures taken by the government, the lethal polythene bags are making a comeback to Dhaka city once again. Moreover, its usage is also increasing exponentially, posing greater hazards to the environment. Recently, street vendors are becoming less cautious about using these bags since the responsible government bodies have not monitored on the successful implementation of the ban. As a result, there is nothing to stop the use of polythene bags instead of their greener counterpart, the environment-friendly jute bags. Not only is it the duty of the vendors, but it is also the duty of the general public to ensure that these bags are not being used. The public can no longer evade the responsibilities they have towards the country and its prosperity.
It is sad to learn that despite being aware of its harmful effects, the general public seem quite indifferent towards purchasing fish, meat and other items using these deadly bags. Environment experts say that without tougher legal penalties, it will be very difficult for the government to attain much success in its fight against polythene.
On 1st March, 2002 the government banned the nationwide usage and sale of polythene bags as a result of their indiscriminate use over the years. Before the nationwide ban on polythene was imposed on 1st March, 2002, the use of these bags had led to the interminable clogging of sewerage pipes, surface drains, the pollution of canals and rivers, as well as the loss of fertility of the soil,. The ban had been initially imposed in Dhaka city from 1st January followed by Chittagong from 21 February. However, even though Bangladesh couldn’t ensure that the ban was being implemented in practice, the governments’ efforts should still be lauded as Bangladesh was the first country to impose such a nationwide ban on polythene usage.
Most businessmen in the capital’s kitchen markets sell their products in plastic bags, even though the production of polythene bags with a thickness of less than 20 microns were banned. Initially, they were only allowed in 14 sectors including those involving certain food, medicine, cement and fertilisers. However, after an overwhelming revelation that polythene bags were the main culprit behind the waterlogging that took place in the 1988 and 1998 floods that submerged two-thirds of the country, the government imposed a absolute ban on its use.
“In Bangladesh, it has become tradition that, if the government imposes a ban on something, its prices will invariably rise. The only exception to this case are the polythene bags, since they have become cheaper than ever before,” says Jalal Mia, a fish vendor of Kawran Bazar.
Polythene traders hailing from Old Town’s Lalbag area mentioned that the wholesale prices of polythene bags, range from Tk 45 to Tk 90 per thousand, depending on their size. On the other hand, each jute bag costs Tk 10 and begins to decompose only after a few days of use. ‘It’s comical how inefficient net bags are when it comes to carrying products like fish or meat,” says a customer. “We are bound to use polythene bags as there are some products that just can not be carried in net bags,” he said.
Meanwhile, Maududur Rashid Safdar, director of the Department of Environment of Dhaka Metropolitan said “It is actually the responsibility of our country’s citizens. Those who really love their country will refuse to purchase anything that is sold in polythene bags.”
Nowadays, Polythene bags are being sold openly in Jatrabari Bazar, Chawk Bazar, Town Hall Bazar, and Mirpur Section-1 markets. Most of the illegal polythene traders find their way out of the police dragnet, as law enforcers are reluctant to catch them on apparently unconvicing grounds, said an official from the Department of Environment.
While talking to several vendors from different kitchen markets, many of them said that using jute or net bags are very a costly alternative to polythene bags. Moreover, the supply of jute bags are also at the bare minimum. But despite the higher costs, experts believe that the only remedy to this situation would be ensure that everyone begin using jute bags instead.
Another point made by the polythene bag vendors were on the ease with which polythene bags can be produced in the country. According to them, the raw materials required to make these bags are readily available in Old Dhaka. “It’s very easy to convince the customs officers and other officials when purchasing these raw materials. This is the reason why polythene bags are so easily available in Dhaka,” says Kalim Ullah, a vendor from Lalbagh. He also said, “The raw materials are also easily produced in the country as many producers melt old polythene bags to make new ones.”
There are many factories illegally producing polythene bags at Mirpur, Lalbagh, Tongi, Ashulia and Jatrabari areas of the capital, according to the Department of Environment of Bangladesh. Maududur Rashid Safdar from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry said, “Due to the limited power of the mobile courts, it is not possible to completely eradicate the use of polythene bags in the country. However, almost every week, representatives of the court visit the areas where the illegal production and distribution takes place.”
According to the Environment Conservation Act 1995, the maximum punishment for manufacturing or being otherwise involved in the distribution of poly bags is a fine of Tk 5,000, and failure to pay may lead to a sentence of imprisonment for six months. An official from the Environment Lawyers Association of Bangladesh stated that this current law is not strong enough to stop the polythene production. The association suggested that if the court is given the power of fining Tk 10 lakh and sentencing 10 years’ jail against manufacturing of polythene bags, the situation will come under control.
It is apparent, that when it comes to the implementation of the ban, there is a strong distrust between the police and the department of environment, which ultimately hinders the eventual progress. An official from the Department of Environment even contradiced saying, “If the police are given the power to apprehend these polythene producers, some dishonest policemen may misuse the law and harass innocent people.” The home ministry and the environment department said that they are trying to overcome the distrust and co-operate with each other to help solve this national dilemma.
A police official of Mirpur Model Thana said that they were not given enough power and authority to net the polythene sellers and producers. He suggested, “We face a lot of problems during any operation against illegal polythene traders as we have not been directly authorised by the law.”
According to experts, “In developed countries, the police are directly authorised to take action but in the context of Bangladesh, the police often misuse their power by taking bribes.” Experts also mentioned that a check and balance theory can be an effective way to solve the dispute between the police and the Environment Department.
Mass produced Polythene bags were first introduced in the 1970’s. Largely for its conveniece, lightweight polythene became popular. But even then, it was noted that this popular product will cause severe harm to the health and environment of the country. Polythene is made of a very strong complex structure which takes almost a thousand years to decompose, but inspite of much demerits, one million polythene bags are currently used throughout the world every minute, suggests the Department of Environment.
According to the National Geographic, of the 500 billion polythene bags that are used each year, millions never make it to the landfill. Moreover, medical science has shown polythene to be an agent of cancer, skin diseases, and other health problems.
Several environment experts and the Department of Environment suggest that in order to completely stop the use of polythene bags, it is necessary to produce cost effective jute bags with polythene lining so that they can be used in kitchen markets. Once this can be done, the jute bag culture will slowly but surely gain popularity.
“Manufacturing small sized jute bags for shopping is difficult and is not cost-effective for the high-speed mills, but it is possible if the government takes the matter seriously,” says Jahidul Hoq, an owner of a small cottage industry. He further suggested that they are ready to supply the jute fibre for making these shopping bags, if the private sector firms show initiative.
During the campaign on banning polythene bags, 60 lakh jute bags were made and sold below their production costs, at Tk 4 to Tk 5 each, but now the situation has changed since local producers cannot produce jute bags at the same cost without government aid.
“Extensive campaign, enforcement and an alternative to polythene are urgently required to free the country from the use of this banned item. Only if these measures are taken more seriously will the public refrain from using polythene bags,” says Md Shahjahan, Director of Environmental Clearance at the Department of Environment.
He also urged the media to provide extensive news coverage to this growing dilemma and help raise awareness that is fundamental towards bringing about a change.
Published at the Daily Sun
KHAMIN 