BSS, Dhaka:

Environment, Forests and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today said the use of polythene shopping bags must be restricted to protect future generations.

Initiatives will be taken to ban the use of polythene bags at shopping malls from October 1 next while at kitchen markets from November 1.

“Everyone should refrain from using polythene at their own responsibility. Actions against polythene producers will begin from November 1,” she told a seminar.

The Department of Environment (DoE) arranged the seminar here to raise public awareness about alternative products to banned polythene shopping bags.

Rizwana said the process of restricting polythene will be implemented in phases as per the law.

She said discussions are going on with shopping centers and store owners regarding this initiative.

The secretariat will be declared plastic-free by December, she added.

Environment Secretary Dr. Farhina Ahmed, DoE Director General Dr. Abdul Hamid, Director Rajinara Begum, President of the Shop Owners Association Muhammad Helal Uddin and Assistant Professor of Environmental Science Department at BUP Md. Arifur Rahman Bhuiyan, among others, spoke.

They discussed the harms of polythene and the necessity of its alternative products.

Earlier, the Environmental Adviser inaugurated a fair that showcasing alternative products to banned polythene shopping bags and visited 24 stalls.

The fair featured environment-friendly products from both government and private entrepreneurs. Reusable bags, jute bags, paper bags and products made from bamboo and cane were displayed at the fair.