Polythene bags
Photo: Munir uz Zaman / driknews
In the past, people used to go to bazaars with big baskets. “Thonga”--a bowl shaped paper container in different sizes-- was also being used extensively. But 20-25 years ago polythene bags started entering into shops. They are very light, cheap and comfortable, no doubt. But as it has some elements which cannot be wasted or destroyed, drains, cannels etc were blocked. Now there are ten feet polythene layers on the bed of the Buriganga and it is one of the main reasons for the death of this important river. The last BNP government took a praiseworthy step it banned the polythene bags and enacted rules against manufacturing, selling and using it. People including environmentalists applauded this decision and polythene bags went out of sight. The authorities tried to popularise the bags made of jute, cloth and paper. But as jute and cloth bags are not durable in nature, those did not become an ideal alternative. In fact, there has been no identical thing like polythene bag in markets as yet. In the meantime, manufacturers of polythene bags have become active and again our shops and markets are flooded with such harmful bags. We do not feel any sense of guilt or sin to take things in those bags.
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