TDS Desk:

The interim government on Thursday instructed all government offices to use alternatives to single-use plastic products for containing the environmental pollution caused by these.

The Cabinet Division issued the directive following a request made by Environment Adviser Syed Rizwana Hasan, in this regard.

The directive includes a set of recommendations:

The Cabinet Division has requested that paper or other eco-friendly materials be used instead of plastic files and folders.

Cotton/jute fabric bags should replace plastic bags. Glass bottles and glasses are recommended instead of plastic water bottles.

Banners made from cotton fabric, jute, or biodegradable materials should be used instead of plastic banners.

Plastic lamination on invitation cards, visiting cards, and promotional leaflets should be avoided.

Food packets provided at meetings/seminars should be made of paper or eco-friendly materials.

The use of all single-use plastic products such as plates, glasses, cups, spoons, and cutlery is discouraged.

Pencils or paper pens should be used instead of plastic pens.

In all publications, including annual reports, plastic and laminated covers should be avoided, and plastic-free flower bouquets are encouraged.

The Cabinet Division has requested all senior secretaries, secretaries, divisional commissioners, and district commissioners to instruct their respective ministries/divisions and affiliated offices/agencies to take appropriate actions on these matters.

Additionally, as part of raising awareness and taking effective steps against plastic pollution, the Cabinet Division has asked all secretaries of ministries/divisions to implement measures to declare Bangladesh Secretariat free from single-use plastics, as per a letter issued on 15 August.

Notably, the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change issued a notification on 28 August, identifying 17 types of items/substances as “single-use plastics.” The following day, through another office order, the ministry declared the cessation of single-use plastic use at both personal and official levels within the ministry and its affiliated offices/agencies, urging all officers and employees to take preventive