People should change practice of plastic use: minister

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DHAKA, Feb 13, 2019 (BSS) – Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Minister Md Shahab Uddin today urged all to change the long-standing practice
of using plastic and polythene products as those pose serious threat to the
environment and biodiversity.

“It is quite impossible to meet the environmental loss caused by plastics
and polythene. That’s why people should be aware of the adverse impacts of
plastic and polythene goods,” he told a workshop in the capital.

The Department and Environment (DoE) arranged the workshop on ‘Sustainable
Management of Plastic to Leverage Circular Economic and Achieve SDG in
Bangladesh’ at Sonargaon Hotel.

Speaking as the chief guest, Shahab Uddin said the government has already
banned the production, import, marketing and sales of polythene bags across
the country, but people should change their long-standing practice of
polythene use.

Since 2009, he said, the mobile courts of the DoE realised Tk 8.46 crore
from different business entities, seized about 877 tonnes of polythene and
sealed off 47 polythene producing factories aiming to check its use.

Noting that the appeal of environment is universal, the environment
minister said smooth cooperation from all can contribute to the development
of the country.

Deputy Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Environment
Secretary Abdullah Al Mohsin Chowdhury, among others, spoke at the meeting.