Photo : Collected
As a result of the ban on Single Use Plastic (SUP), the investment of 6,000 companies in the country's plastic sector will be affected. At the same time, using jute bags instead of PP woven bags is increasing the price of daily products. On the other hand, the quality of many products is deteriorating.
In addition, the government will lose a revenue of 40 thousand crores from this sector annually. Environmental experts say that products that pollute the environment should be avoided quickly. But polythene should be banned by providing an alternative.
When asked about this, Samim Ahmed, president of the Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BPGMEA), an organization of factory owners, told The Daily Messenger that no factory can be closed suddenly because there are many things involved in this industry. Instead of shutting down factories in this industry, the government should convert waste into resources by recycling plastic. As a result, measures should be taken to reduce global warming and prevent ocean plastic pollution.
He said, before the closure of the plastic industry, there will be an adverse effect on the country's economy, I request them to discuss with the Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Industry, BIDA, FBCCI and other organizations and take a decision.
Also, all plastic factories can be kept running for another 5 years without closing down now. Because there is a decision to phase out the UNEA Resolution Single Use Plastic until the year 2030, it will be appropriate to take implementation steps accordingly.
When asked about this, Abu Motaleb, President of Bangladesh Plastic Packaging, Roll Manufacturing Owners Association said, we also want to improve the environment. However, the simplest method adopted by the Ministry of Environment to ban the product is not correct and not scientific. Resource Recovery from Waste – a research topic in today's world.
He said, the 17 items taken into consideration in the SUP notification will make it impossible to operate the industry. If plastic packaging is avoided, all sectors including Food Processing, Pharmaceuticals Packages, Hospital equipment, Agriculture Modernization, Export Packaging will suffer more than 2 lakh 70 thousand crore taka. Export income will also be deprived.
From this situation, BPGMEA has given many suggestions on what to do, namely, to implement the Shopping Bag Ban Act of 2002, to make the price of alternative bags affordable, awareness development, inclusion in the education curriculum, public participation, provision of sufficient bins, correct Investing in converting Waste to Wealth through waste management. No campaign will be successful without ensuring an adequate supply of alternative bags.
Bangladesh should invest in waste management sector like the developed world. The Local Government Institute (LGI) needs to develop knowledge, build capacity and equip it, recruit the necessary manpower and adopt a sound policy.
Introduction of Plastic Circularity for Sustainable Waste Management-CE Circularity through Resource Recovery, Technology Supply for investment in Recycling Industry and loans on short terms and avoidance of all types of Duty and Tax. It should be customized for the country following the waste management policy of Japan, Singapore and advanced industrial establishments in developed countries.
It is very important to discuss the concerned sector with stakeholders before taking steps to stop SUP for environmental protection. On our behalf, the Ministry of Environment and the Department of Environment have been repeatedly given verbal and written letters.
The role of SUP use during the corona was widespread. Plastic packaging is saving lives in the industry for syringes, saline and other daily essentials. This packaging is not possible on alternative products. Use of plastic backward linkage is mandatory for all exports including garments. 30 percent of plastics are used in electronics, automobile, aircraft and ship industries.
If all SUP policies are adopted, the country's economy will be adversely affected, investment will be affected, workers will lose their jobs. How much the revenue will suffer is a matter of research. The organization believes that the entire industry is likely to be disrupted.
It is said from Bangladesh Plastic Packaging, Roll Manufacturers Owners Association, the Ministry of Environment stopped the Plastic Shopping Bags through a notification in 2002 to clean the country's environment and improve the environment. Plastic shopping bags manufacturers were forced to close 300 large factories due to the notification. Hundreds of crores of investment is wasted. Workers are unemployed. In fact, the plastic sector is severely damaged.
But the purpose for which Plastic Shopping Bag Ban is done has not brought any benefits. The goal of stopping the plastic shopping bag has not been achieved in the last 22 years. Affordable price, quality and easy to use Shopping Bag alternative product production and supply has not been possible.
It is said that through a notification of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, a list containing 17 Single Use Plastic products has been published in the gazette. Currently, according to the circular, efforts are being made to stop all Single Use Plastic from the Ministry. As a result of this effort by the government, the business of the plastic sector will be fatally affected by the economic activities of other sectors as trade and linkages. It is feared that the Act will create a hindrance in the development of the industry and create a negative reaction in the market.
Messenger/Sajib
