In 2002, Bangladesh became the first country in the world to ban the production, import, marketing and use of polythene bags, a type of single-use plastic bag. The ban, made through the Bangladesh Environment Conservation (Amendment) Act, was seen as a major environmental milestone. Yet by 2020, per capita plastic consumption had tripled from 3 kg in 2002 to 9 kg, according to a 2021 World Bank study.
For the riverine country, plastic pollution worsened flooding, clogged drainage systems and contaminated waterways. The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority estimates that 12-13 feet of plastic waste now sits at the bottom of the Buriganga River, a lifeline for the capital, Dhaka.
As Bangladesh’s new government, in power since October 2024, launches a renewed crackdown on plastic bags, it is worth examining why the original ban failed, what lessons can be learned, and whether the new act can succeed.
I hope that goes well for them.
Judging by the picture alone things can surely only get better. This is one of those classic cases of a tipping point needing to be reached before an “experimental” solution can be actioned.
Hopefully the solution is actually beneficial and not some “not plastic but still not good” alternative. In Vancouver they banned single use plastic bags for things like food takeout, and instead places now use small fabric bags. Yes they aren’t single-use plastic, so they’re better, but they might as well still be single-use.
If it’s polyester, then its a single use plastic bag in all but de jure.
