From October 1, the use of polythene and polypropylene shopping bags will be prohibited in all superstores across the country, Environment Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Syeda Rizwana Hasan said today.

Superstores will be required to offer jute and cloth bags for purchase as alternatives, with young people and students being encouraged to participate in this initiative.

The announcement was made on Monday during a stakeholder meeting at the ministry’s conference room in the Bangladesh Secretariat, where a detailed action plan was developed to enforce the ban on polythene bags.

Rizwana Hasan also revealed that a widespread media campaign will begin on September 15 through print and electronic outlets to raise public awareness about the upcoming ban. Official notices will be published in newspapers to inform the public.

To ensure the availability of jute shopping bags, the Ministry of Textiles and Jute will hold meetings with all superstores within a week and take necessary measures to secure a steady supply.

Additionally, the Department of Environment, in collaboration with the NGO ESDO, will organize a fair by September 30 to showcase alternative eco-friendly bags made from jute and other sustainable materials. This fair will allow supermarket authorities and bag manufacturers to discuss their needs and supply capacities.

The meeting, chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, was attended by additional secretaries, the Director General of the Department of Environment, representatives from other ministries, and officials from various supermarket chains.