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Why is ban on polythene bags not being implemented? 

Published : Sunday, 22 September, 2024 at 12:00 AM  Count : 336
Bhuiyan Shofi
Polythene and plastic are not natural substances. Plastic is a type of biochemical material. In 1852, an inventor named Alexander Park created plastics by combining nitro-cellulose, plasticizers, and other solvent molecules. Since its creation till date, none of the plastics produced has decomposed or degraded. Those plastics still remain directly in nature in various processes. It takes approximately 500 to 1000 years for plastic to completely degrade. Then the invention of polyethylene started with petroleum like this plastic material.

Polythene first arrived in Asia in 1962. The following year in 1963, Japan became the first Asian country to market polyethylene. Following this, in 1982, polyethylene first came to the market of our country. According to the information, the production of poly bags started by a factory named Islam Plastic in Dhaka market. Initially its production was only 0.25 tonnes. In 1983, the number of factories producing plastic and polyethylene products stood at two. Within a year in 1984, 16 factories were built. At that time the people of the capital Dhaka accepted polythene as a blessing of civilization and modern science. Pathithin brings a different touch of modernity to the people of the country. Being easily portable and readily available, polythene is widely popular for buying and selling products in the bazaar. Polyethylene trade is expanding rapidly due to multidimensional use. At present, the use of polythene is increasing at a great rate. Widespread use of polythene creates problems for waste management if it is not recycled. Being non-biodegradable, the use of polythene poses a serious threat to the environment.

In 2002, the Government of Bangladesh amended the Environmental Protection Act and completely banned the production, import, marketing, sale, display for sale, storage, distribution, transportation and use of all types of polythene bags for commercial purposes. Although there is a system of punishment against the violators of the law, the production and use of banned polythene is increasing day by day.

Widespread use of polythene is severely affecting the fertility of agricultural land. It remains unchanged in the environment. As it moves into the soil, it disrupts the normal growth of soil micro-organisms. It also creates obstacles in the movement of water under the soil. Due to which the quality and fertility of the soil decreases, the production of crops decreases.

Polythene accumulates in urban sewerage systems and hampers the disposal of urban liquid waste. As a result, even a little rain causes flooding in the city. Polythene and plastic materials like polluted urban waste are being dumped into the river constantly. Polluted waste mixed in the river pollutes the river and causes various damage to the aquatic animals and plants. Fish are eating these polythene particles. But this polyethylene is not digested in the stomach of fish. As a result fish are dying. The use of polythene is harming biodiversity as well as humans. We (humans) are eating the fish caught from the river. As polythene is not digested in the stomach of fish, we are also eating small particles of polythene with the fish. Due to the entry of these harmful chemicals into the human body, people are suffering from complex diseases like cancer.
Meanwhile, plastic and polythene cannot be incinerated for waste management, because the combustion produces toxic fumes. This contaminated wash mixes with the air and pollutes the air. Petroleum is the main source of plastic and polyethylene. When plastic and polythene are burned, they are fossil fuels just like coal, petrol, diesel. Open burning of fossil fuels causes serious damage to the environment. As a result, a large amount of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur and nitrogen gases are produced along with various toxic fumes. This gas mixes with the air and pollutes the air. As a result of air pollution, there is a harmful effect on the environment as the temperature of the earth increases and acid rain occurs. Also people are suffering from various diseases including lung cancer, respiratory diseases.

Unscrupulous traders are marketing polythene by circumventing the law and creating various loopholes. And product buyers are not objecting to the use of illegal polythene bags but are getting relief. By changing this attitude of traders and buyers, polythene should be bid adieu for the greater good of the nation. Public awareness should be increased on alternative use of polythene - for this social organizations should come forward. Bags made of jute and paper should be used. Recycling or recycling of polythene should be made mandatory by the government to protect the country and people from the polluting effects of polythene. Vigilance by law enforcement and related departments should be increased. 'Implementation of the law to stop banned polythene' should be done. Closure of factory, commercial transport or use of legal process and action against the culprits as per the provisions of the law. The implementation of the law will stop the use of banned polythene.

The writer is a Student,Department of Bengali, Mirza Azam College



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