Rizwana calls for effective action against plastic pollution, clarifies govt stance on single-use plastics

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Water Resources, emphasised the urgent need for effective action against plastic pollution. 

She clarified that the government has not banned single-use plastic items but is working to discourage their use to encourage the development of safer alternatives by local entrepreneurs.

"This way, we can gradually move away from single-use plastics, for which we do not have a proper waste management system," she said as the chief guest in a conference titled "From Policy to Action: Integrated Approaches for Combating Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter in Bangladesh" today (5 February) at the Department of Environment, Agargaon, Dhaka.

She also condemned false claims that the government has prohibited all single-use plastics, calling them "blatant lies" that create unnecessary tensions among plastic manufacturers.

Highlighting the severity of plastic pollution, she remarked, "Plastic waste does not disappear; it breaks down into microplastics, which are then consumed by fish and ultimately enter our food system. This is a choice we must all make—individually, as a government, and as businesses."

She stressed that Bangladesh already has readily available alternatives for most single-use plastic items and called for stronger commitments from businesses. She also criticised the hazardous working conditions in illegal plastic production facilities in Old Dhaka and emphasised the need for a structured phase-out plan.

"An integrated approach is needed—banning is just one aspect, but phasing out, recycling, and reuse are equally crucial. The Finnish government has expressed interest in supporting us in establishing a state-of-the-art recycling facility, and we will engage in discussions with them soon," she said.

She further urged businesses to collaborate on a time-bound action plan to eliminate single-use plastics well before 2030. Expressing concern over resistance to regulations, she strongly condemned recent attacks on Department of Environment officials attempting to shut down illegal polythene bag production units.

Syeda Rizwana Hasan concluded by emphasising the need for national unity in tackling plastic pollution. "A complete ban is possible if we rise above personal interests and work together in the interest of our community and country," she affirmed.

Dr Md Quamruzzaman, NDC, director general, Department of Environment chaired the Conference where Hakon Arald Gulbrandsen, ambassador of Norway to Bangladesh;  Jerome Stucki, unit chief (Circular and Resource Efficiency), UNIDO Vienna, Austria; Dr Abdullah Al Mamun, director, Department of Environment spoke.

The conference brought together policymakers, environmental experts, and stakeholders from various sectors to discuss actionable strategies for reducing plastic pollution and marine litter in Bangladesh.