Environment adviser clarifies govt stance on single-use plastics
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The environment adviser clarified on Wednesday that her ministry has not banned single-use plastic, but is rather discouraging its use.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Water Resources, emphasized the urgent need for effective action against plastic pollution.
She clarified that the government has not banned single-use plastic items but is working to discourage their use to encourage the development of safer alternatives by local entrepreneurs.
"This way, we can gradually move away from single-use plastics, for which we do not have a proper waste management system," the adviser stated.
She also condemned false claims that the government has prohibited all single-use plastics, calling them "blatant lies" that create unnecessary tensions among plastic manufacturers.
The environment adviser made these statements while speaking as the chief guest at a conference titled "From Policy to Action: Integrated Approaches for Combating Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter in Bangladesh" held at the Department of Environment, in the city.
Highlighting the severity of plastic pollution, she remarked, "Plastic waste does not disappear; it breaks down into microplastics, which are then consumed by fish and ultimately enter our food system. This is a choice we must all make—individually, as a government, and as businesses."
She also criticized the hazardous working conditions in illegal plastic production facilities in Old Dhaka and emphasized the need for a structured phase-out plan.
"An integrated approach is needed—banning is just one aspect, but phasing out, recycling and reuses are equally crucial,” the adviser announced.
She further urged businesses to collaborate on a time-bound action plan to eliminate single-use plastics well before 2030.
Md Quamruzzaman, Director General, Department of Environment chaired the Conference where Hakon Arald Gulbrandsen, Ambassador of Norway to Bangladesh; Jerome Stucki, Unit Chief (Circular and Resource Efficiency), UNIDO Vienna, Austria; Dr Abdullah Al Mamun, Director, Department of Environment spoke.
The conference brought together policymakers, environmental experts, and stakeholders from various sectors to discuss actionable strategies for reducing plastic pollution and marine litter in Bangladesh.