Single-use plastic to be phased out from 12 coastal districts in three years

The government has taken a three-year action plan to stop the use of single-use plastic in 12 coastal districts. 

“A three-year action plan has been formulated to stop the use of single-use plastic in 40 upazilas of 12 districts of the coastal region,” Environment Minister Md Shahab Uddin said on Thursday.

He said that the government is implementing 'Multisectoral Action Plan for Sustainable Plastic Management in Bangladesh' to control plastic pollution.

Actions are underway to phase out various single-use plastic items at the beach and adjacent hotels and motels, reduce the use of 'virgin materials' by 50 per cent by 2030, eliminate 90 per cent single-use plastics by 2026, ensure 50 per cent recycling of plastic waste by 2025, he added.

Adopting an action plan to reduce plastic waste generation by 30 per cent by 2030 has been incorporated in the Plastic Action Plan, the minister continued, saying that guidelines for implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility are being formulated.

“If all concerned work together, we can succeed in curbing plastic pollution,” he hoped.

Public awareness activities are continuing along with taking action against illegal polythene shopping bag manufacture, transport, sale, and hoarders. 

He said these while speaking as the chief guest at the workshop organised by the Department of Environment to determine what to do to stop plastic pollution.

Director General of the Department of Environment Dr Abdul Hamid presided over the workshop.

Special Envoy of the Prime Minister for Environment and Climate and Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Dr Farhina Ahmed spoke as special guests.

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