Examination: Will Bangladesh's ban on one-time use plastics be effective?
Bangladesh, the second-largest jute producer in the world, has a long history of grappling with plastic waste. This South Asian nation took a significant step in 2002 when it became the first country to ban the production, import, marketing, and use of polythene bags. However, the ban was not without its challenges.
The ban, enacted through the Bangladesh Environment Conservation (Amendment) Act, stemmed from sustained pressure by environmental activists and civil society groups. The BNP government, in power at the time, imposed a full ban on single-use polythene bags in October 2001, first in Dhaka, then nationwide. Yet, it took three years to draft the rules needed to implement the Mandatory Jute Packaging Act (2010), and three more years for the government to implement it in 2016.
Despite the ban, polythene factories in Bangladesh continued to operate due to continued demand, lack of enforcement capacity, and economic dependence on the plastic manufacturing sector. It was not until October 2024, when the new government came into power, that only seven polythene factories were shut down as part of a renewed crackdown on plastic.
The coronavirus pandemic accelerated polythene use in Bangladesh. Manufacturing of single-use plastics expanded through decentralized factories, contributing to a tripling of per capita plastic consumption from 3 kg in 2002 to 9 kg by 2020. The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority estimates that 12-13 feet of plastic waste now sits at the bottom of the Buriganga River.
The plastics industry is now lobbying to delay the ban until 2030, warning of protests, job losses, and economic disruption. However, the new government, in power since October 2024, is determined to hold its nerve and learn from past failures. The ultimate test for Bangladesh's new anti-plastic policy will be whether the government can close enforcement gaps, subsidize alternatives, and resist industry pressure to break polythene's dominance.
ASM Hannan Shah, Bangladesh's Minister of Jute from 1991 to 1996, advocated for a three-year phase-out plan, supporting jute, cloth, cane, and paper alternatives. Shahriar Hossain, secretary-general of the Environment and Social Development Organisation (ESDO), led early advocacy efforts that mobilized public support. Md. Farhad Ahmed Akanda, president of the Bangladesh Jute Association, suggests subsidizing jute bags to bring costs down in line with that of polythene bags.
The pushback against the renewed plastic ban is already occurring, but Bangladesh remains hopeful. With determination and resilience, this South Asian nation is striving to reduce its plastic waste and protect its environment for future generations.
