Photo : BSS

COX’S BAZAR, July 31, 2025 (BSS) – To curb the use of polythene bags, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-15,  Cox’s Bazar has launched a month-long public awareness campaign.

As part of this initiative, leaflets were distributed while public announcements made through loudspeakers across different areas of Cox’s Bazar town targeting businesses, vendors, customers, and pedestrians.

The campaign was officially inaugurated at 12:30pm today in the Barobazar area, under the supervision of RAB, with support from the Cox’s Bazar District Office of the Department of Environment.

According to RAB sources, the month-long campaign will also expand various upazila headquarters and key transport hubs, where leaflets will be distributed and public announcements conducted. 

After the awareness drive, enforcement actions will be taken to prevent the use of banned polythene bags.

RAB-15 Cox’s Bazar Battalion’s Assistant Director Nazmul Islam said, “The widespread use of single-use polythene bags is causing disruption to daily life. The production, marketing, and use of polythene shopping bags are legally prohibited. Yet, their continued use contributes to the spread of life-threatening diseases, including cancer.”

He called upon all buyers and sellers at business establishments to switch to eco-friendly and reusable shopping bags.

During a visit to Baharchhara Market in Cox’s Bazar many women and children were seen selling banned polythene bags, priced at TK 1-2 each. Buyers use them to carry fish, meat, and vegetables, which are then dumped into drains and roadside areas, causing both environmental degradation and water logging. 

Similar scenes are observed in at least six other markets, including Kanaiyar Bazar on Airport Road, Rumaliarchhara Market, Barobazar, Kalur Dokan, and Link Road.

Cox’s Bazar based Youth Environment Society (YES) Chairman Mujibul Haque said that more than 500 shops along the city’s main streets and alleyways were selling essential goods wrapped up in banned polythene. 

“These are later disposed into city drains and the Bakkhali River, triggering both environmental disaster and severe water logging,” he said, lauding RAB’s anti-polythene efforts as commendable.