Commerce, environment ministries launch affordable jute bag marketing

The government on Sunday inaugurated the marketing of affordable and eco-friendly jute bags among city consumers, aiming to promote sustainable alternatives to polythene.

The programme, held at Karwan Bazar, was addressed by Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Water Resources, as the chief guest.

Sheikh Bashir Uddin, Adviser to the Ministry of Textiles and Jute, the Ministry of Commerce, and the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, attended as a special guest, while Md. Abdur Rouf, Secretary of the Ministry of Textiles and Jute, presided over the event.

Rizwana Hasan said the government has undertaken an initiative to supply jute bags at subsidised prices to encourage their use as an alternative to banned polythene bags.

She cautioned that no leniency would be shown if polythene is found in the market. “Confiscation and legal action will follow, with regular inspections to ensure enforcement,” she warned.

The adviser pointed out that excessive polythene use poses severe threats to soil, water, and biodiversity, whereas jute bags are durable, reusable, and environmentally friendly. Under this project—funded by the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund—subsidised jute bags will be marketed through TCB dealers and market traders’ associations.

The initiative also aims to enhance public awareness on reusing jute bags while strengthening the skills, marketing capacity, quality control, and cost management of multipurpose jute product entrepreneurs. Training sessions will be provided to traders’ associations and TCB dealers. Awareness campaigns will be carried out through meetings, seminars, workshops, symposiums, and publicity across print, electronic, and social media.

Speakers at the event stressed the urgent need to eliminate polythene and single-use plastics for the sake of future generations. They called on citizens to take a collective pledge: “No more polythene shopping bags.”

It was also noted that TCB-appointed dealers have already begun selling these subsidised jute bags at designated shops across Dhaka markets.

Prices have been fixed at Tk 20, 25, 30, 35, 70, and 80, depending on size and quality.