Department of Environment and partners lead dialogue on plastic alternatives and policy
The Department of Environment, ActionAid Bangladesh, Nature Conservation Management (NACOM), and the Centre for Climate Justice Bangladesh (CCJ-B) jointly organised a national event titled "Break Free from Plastic – A Discussion and EcoBazaar on Plastic Alternatives" on 29 June 2025 at Agargaon, as part of World Environment Day 2025 observances.
The event commenced with the inauguration of the 'EcoBazaar: Plastic-Free Fair' by Dr. Fahmida Khanom, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The fair featured innovative products made from jute, bamboo, and biodegradable materials, presented by community-based and small to medium-sized enterprises. Visitors engaged with stallholders to gain deeper insights into sustainable consumption.
Dr. Md Sohrab Ali, Additional Director General of the Department of Environment, chaired the inaugural session. Opening remarks were delivered by S.M. Munjurul Hannan Khan, Executive Director of NACOM, followed by a keynote address titled "From Ban to Beyond: Addressing Plastic Pollution through Policy, Innovation, and Inclusion," delivered by experts from NACOM, ActionAid Bangladesh, and CCJ-B. The session was moderated by Kazi Morshed Alam of ActionAid Bangladesh.
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A panel discussion featured specialists including Dr. Mubarak Ahmad Khan (Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation), Shamima Akhter (Unilever Bangladesh Ltd.), Jannatul Munia (RedOrange Communications), and Dr. Neaz Al Hasan (Gopalganj University), who engaged in a comprehensive dialogue on combating plastic pollution. An open forum allowed diverse stakeholders to share innovative ideas and collaborative strategies.
The discussion highlighted the gravity of the plastic crisis in Bangladesh, where nearly 87,000 tonnes of single-use plastic are generated annually, with 96% becoming waste. Urban per capita plastic consumption has tripled since 2005, and microplastics have contaminated waterways and coastal areas, threatening biodiversity and public health.
Speakers emphasised the adoption of sustainable materials such as jute and bamboo, noting Bangladesh's substantial jute production of nearly 2 million metric tonnes annually as a viable natural alternative. They called for enhanced policy enforcement, grassroots education, and incentives for local innovators to promote an eco-conscious future.
Dr. Fahmida Khanom reiterated the government's commitment to addressing plastic pollution through bans on single-use plastics, promotion of reusable alternatives, implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), and strengthening domestic recycling for export potential. Md Jahid Hossain of the Jute Diversification Promotion Centre underscored the importance of rigorous enforcement and early environmental education to cultivate sustainable habits nationwide.
In closing, Tanjir Hossain, Global Resilience Advisor at ActionAid International's IHART, stressed that collaboration, innovation, and youth leadership are essential to building a greener, safer Bangladesh.
The event brought together policymakers, environmentalists, researchers, entrepreneurs, youth leaders, and media representatives — united in their dedication to ecological justice and sustainable development, forging a hopeful path beyond the shadows of plastic pollution.
