Although Bangladesh became the first country in the world to announce a complete ban on the use of polythene bags in 2002, strict enforcement of the much-lauded initiative has only started taking shape recently.

Authorities must not turn a blind eye to rampant polythene use

Government must implement the ban to stop plastic pollution

Private sector companies who daily contribute to plastic pollution must come up with ways to manage it.

Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal proposed to withdraw the existing 5 percent supplementary duty on all types of polythene bags, plastic bags (including oven plastic bags) and wrapping materials made of polyethylene.