Bangladesh's Struggle to Enforce Single-Use Plastic Ban: Assessment of Success Prospects

In 2002, Bangladesh made history by becoming the first country to ban the production, import, marketing, and use of polythene bags. This groundbreaking move was a result of the efforts of environmental activists and civil society groups, including the Environment and Social Development Organisation (ESDO). The ban was enacted through the Bangladesh Environment Conservation (Amendment) Act.

The initial years of the ban were successful, with polythene bags being virtually absent in 2002-2003. However, the ban's success was short-lived due to political turmoil and the legalization of thicker polythene bags for specific industries. This led to a surge in polythene use, and by 2020, per capita plastic consumption in Bangladesh had tripled from 3 kg in 2002 to 9 kg.

The dense urban layout of old Dhaka complicates enforcement of the polythene ban due to narrow alleys and a densely populated area. Despite these challenges, the new government, in power since October 2024, has launched a renewed crackdown on plastic bags.

The plastics industry, however, is lobbying to delay the ban until 2030, warning of protests, job losses, and economic disruption. Md. Farhad Ahmed Akanda, president of the Bangladesh Jute Association, suggests subsidising jute bags to bring costs down in line with that of polythene bags.

The search results do not provide the name of the minister appointed in 2018 as Minister for Textiles and Jute for the Awami League who became a key figure in the plastic industry. The Awami League, ousted in August 2024, enacted the Mandatory Jute Packaging Act (2010) to stop plastic and nylon sack use.

The coronavirus pandemic has further accelerated polythene use in Bangladesh. On 26 January, an MoE director was attacked during a raid on an illegal plastic factory, highlighting the challenges in enforcing the ban.

The success of a renewed polythene ban depends on the pricing of jute bags compared to polythene bags. The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority estimates that 12-13 feet of plastic waste now sits at the bottom of the Buriganga River, underscoring the urgency of effective enforcement.

The demand for jute dropped significantly between 2007 and 2008 due to the legalization of thicker polythene bags. This trend, coupled with the challenges in enforcing the ban, has made Bangladesh's battle with plastic a complex and ongoing one.

Bangladesh's Struggle to Enforce Single-Use Plastic Ban: Assessment of Success Prospects