DHAKA, Dec 20, 2024 (BSS) - Tapan Kumar Biswas, additional secretary and chairman of Polythene Bag Monitoring Committee formed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, today said apart from raising public awareness about the use of biodegradable bags, law will be strictly enforced to stop polythene shopping bag use.

Since November 3, a total of 199 mobile court drives have been conducted across the country to enforce the ban on polythene shopping bags, he said. 

Biswas said through those drives, fines of a total sum of Taka 25,72,300 were imposed on 414 business entities, while 50,556 kilograms of polythene shopping bags were seized.

He shared these details while briefing journalists following a monitoring drive conducted at Karwan Bazar in the city today to curb the use of polythene shopping bags, a ministry press release said.

The chairman emphasised that the use of polythene bags has been restricted to protect environment and prevent plastic pollution. 

He highlighted the ministry's comprehensive efforts to make this initiative successful, including intensifying monitoring operations nationwide. 

Biswas urged all stakeholders to support this government initiative for the sake of environmental protection.

During the monitoring drive, shopkeepers and customers were encouraged to use jute bags, cloth bags, and wax-coated brown paper bags as alternatives. 

Various environment-friendly bags were displayed at several shops. 

Officials from the ministry and the Department of Environment (DoE) were present during the drive.