Why Bangladesh's world-first polythene bag ban failed: Legal loopholes, weak enforcement, no affordable alternatives

Twenty-four years after Bangladesh became the first country in the world to ban polythene shopping bags, their use remains as widespread as ever - and a new study has laid out in detail why the landmark law has failed to change behaviour.

The findings were presented today (10 June) by the Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO) through its report, "Beyond the Ban: Unpacking Polythene Dependency in Bangladesh," at a press briefing in Dhaka attended by policymakers, environmental experts, researchers, and civil society representatives.

Bangladesh introduced the ban in 2002 under the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, earning international recognition and inspiring similar measures in other countries. Yet polythene bags remain deeply embedded in everyday life more than two decades on.

Based on surveys of more than 2,000 consumers and retailers from urban, peri-urban, and rural areas — alongside interviews with government officials, legal experts, and environmental stakeholders — the study identified affordability, easy availability, convenience, and entrenched habits as the primary drivers of continued use.

At the institutional level, it found weak enforcement, legal exemptions, inadequate environmental education, limited access to affordable alternatives, political influence, and poor coordination among responsible agencies as the main barriers to implementation.

More than 63% of retailers said they are aware the ban exists, yet continue using polythene bags regularly. Half of those surveyed reported using more than 50 bags a day; only 2% said they do not use them at all.

The study also found a notable disconnect between education and behaviour — many urban consumers with secondary and university-level education continue to rely on polythene bags, pointing to failures in environmental literacy.

Legal loopholes have enabled manufacturers to continue production, while changes in government over the years have contributed to inconsistent enforcement. 

Some manufacturers are still producing polythene bags clandestinely, according to Mahmuda Tamanna Khan, inspector at the Department of Environment, who added that staff shortages further hamper monitoring.

Some 55% of retailers said they would be willing to switch to alternatives if they were affordable and accessible. 

However, the report warned that the absence of rehabilitation measures for businesses and workers dependent on the polythene supply chain poses a significant challenge to any just transition.

Former secretary Syed Marghub Murshed said Bangladesh led the world with the ban, and the challenge now is ensuring the law delivers its intended impact.

ESDO Secretary General Dr Shahriar Hossain said the persistence of polythene reflects broader governance failures. 

"We are all responsible — government, consumers, and manufacturers. The law was people-friendly. Why has it not been implemented? Why have we not built awareness?" he said.

ESDO Executive Director Siddika Sultana described the report as a call for collective action to translate Bangladesh's environmental ambitions into measurable outcomes.

The study recommends strengthening environmental education, reforming policies, improving enforcement, ensuring affordable alternatives, supporting affected supply-chain workers, and enhancing coordination among government agencies, businesses, and citizens.