Interim government’s push for reusable bags: What it means for your
business
Bangladesh’s interim government is taking strong steps to fight
plastic pollution. Since October 2024, single-use plastic bags have
been banned in supermarkets. The government is promoting
eco-friendly reusable bags made from jute, cotton, and other
biodegradable materials. This blog will explain how the
interim government’s push for reusable bags affects
your business and how to adapt.
The ban on single-use plastics is part of a larger plan to protect
the environment. Plastic waste, including polythene bags, has harmed
Bangladesh’s rivers, soil, and food chains. Reusable bags help
reduce this damage while meeting
customer demands for greener options. Businesses need to plan
carefully to stay compliant and keep operations smooth. Call us at
01709-634030 for details!
Bangladesh generates approximately
87,000 tons of single-use plastics annually, with 96%
discarded as waste, clogging drains, rivers, and landfills. In urban
areas, per capita plastic consumption tripled from 3 kg in 2005 to 9
kg in 2020, with Dhaka alone producing 24 kg per person.
The capital city uses 14 million plastic bags daily, contributing to
73,000 tonnes of plastic waste entering the Bay of Bengal each year
via the Padma, Jamuna, and Meghna rivers. Microplastics have
infiltrated fish, agricultural products, and food chains, posing
severe ecological and health risks.
Historical context: The 2002 ban and its failure
In 2002, Bangladesh became one of the
first countries to ban polythene bags. However, weak
enforcement, lack of affordable alternatives, and industry
resistance led to its failure. By 2020, plastic use had surged, and
the Solid Waste Management Rules (2021) and a 2021 High Court order
to phase out single-use plastics saw limited success.
The interim government of Bangladesh renewed its push, led by
environment advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan, to address these
shortcomings through stricter enforcement and a focus on
biodegradable alternatives.
The 2024 policy: Key details
The government’s goal is to reduce the 30% of plastic waste
attributed to single-use grocery bags and promote reusable options,
particularly jute, which aligns with
Bangladesh’s $1 billion jute export industry. Here
are the details:
October 1, 2024: Ban on polythene and polypropylene
shopping bags in superstores.
September 5, 2024: Cabinet directive for government offices
to replace single-use plastics with eco-friendly alternatives like
glassware.
August 27, 2024: Circular identifying 17 single-use plastic
products (e.g., cigarette filters, plastic bottles, straws,
styrofoam packaging) for phased elimination.
November 1, 2024: Department of Environment (DoE) to begin
seizing single-use plastic products and shutting down production
facilities.
Legal framework: Enforcement of the Bangladesh Environment
Conservation Act (2002), which allows fines and imprisonment for
violators, alongside the Mandatory Jute Packaging Act (2010)
promoting jute for 19 commodities.
Opportunities for businesses
The shift to reusable bags opens significant opportunities for
businesses willing to adapt. Below, we explore key areas where
companies can capitalize on this policy.
Booming demand for reusable bags
Market growth
Job creation
Branding opportunities
Actionable steps for manufacturers and retailers
Recycling and waste management innovation
Circular economy models
Government incentives
Export potential for jute products
Competitive advantage
Policy support
Challenges for businesses
While the ban offers opportunities, it also poses significant
challenges, particularly for retailers, plastic manufacturers, and
small vendors. Below, we outline the key hurdles and their
implications.
Supply chain disruptions: The sudden ban has exposed
critical gaps in the supply of reusable bag materials,
particularly jute and cotton fabrics.
Fabric shortages: Producers like Surzu Handicrafts and
Baeki Centre report shortages, with jute fabric prices rising from
Tk 32 to Tk 38–40 per yard, increasing production costs.
Industry unpreparedness: Most jute manufacturers focused on
export-grade fabrics, not low-cost bags, leaving them unprepared
for domestic demand spikes.
Retail gaps: Shwapno, Bangladesh’s largest retail chain,
needs 100,000 bags daily but receives only 1,000–2,000, forcing
reliance on costly alternatives like paper bags for meat and fish.
Consumer resistance and behavior change: Despite
environmental awareness, many consumers resist reusable bags due
to cost and convenience.
Cost sensitivity: In Dhaka’s low-income markets, customers
expect free bags, and Tk 40 jute bags are unaffordable compared to
free plastic.
Habitual behavior: Retailers like Shwapno report that not
all customers embrace the ban, with some refusing to bring
reusable bags.
No alternatives for important products: Iodized salt,
medicines, and liquid milk require plastic packaging to maintain
quality and meet international standards, with no viable
substitutes.
Export disruption: Plastic packaging is integral to
pharmaceuticals and food exports, and a ban could undermine
competitiveness.
Ready for a Greener Future? Learn How to Adapt Today!
To thrive in this shifting landscape, businesses must adopt
proactive strategies tailored to their sector and market dynamics.
Invest in supply chain resilience: Partner with jute
farmers and mills to ensure steady fabric supply, potentially
through long-term contracts or vertical integration.
Diversify suppliers: Source cotton, paper, or biodegradable
plastics to mitigate jute shortages and price volatility.
Advocate for policy support: Lobby for subsidies on jute
farming and processing, as well as tax breaks for eco-friendly bag
production, like
PP woven and
non-woven fabrics and bags.
Enhance consumer engagement: Offer discounts or loyalty
points for customers using reusable bags, as practiced by global
retailers like Tesco.
Affordable pricing: Subsidize bag costs initially to build
adoption, especially in low-income markets, and explore bulk
pricing models.
Collaborate with stakeholders: Form coalitions with
retailers, manufacturers, and jute producers to address supply
chain gaps and advocate for balanced policies.
NGO partnerships: Work with environmental groups to fund
awareness campaigns and pilot recycling initiatives in urban
areas.
The global context: Bangladesh’s ban aligns with global trends
The following examples suggest that Bangladesh can succeed with a
balanced approach, combining enforcement, innovation, and
stakeholder collaboration. Here are the global trends:
EU: Banned single-use plastics in 2021, driving demand for
jute and biodegradable packaging.
India: Phased out single-use plastics by 2022, with heavy
investments in jute and recycling.
Japan and Singapore: Achieve near-100% plastic waste
management through recycling and waste-to-energy systems.
Conclusion
Industries like retail, agriculture, and construction are switching
to eco-friendly options like jute and cotton bags.
This shift is a chance to show your commitment to sustainability
while staying competitive. As one of the
leading non-woven bag producing companies in
Bangladesh, N. Biswas Group offers affordable, high-quality
options to meet your packaging needs.
Contact us now to explore
durable, eco-friendly bags for your business.
The ban impacts businesses in retail, agriculture, and more.
You must switch to reusable bags to comply with laws, which
may increase costs but attract eco-conscious customers.
Reusable bags reduce plastic waste that harms rivers, soil,
and food chains. They are eco-friendly, biodegradable, and can
be used multiple times, supporting Bangladesh’s green goals.
Yes, reusable bags cost more, ranging from Tk 6 to Tk 29,
compared to Tk 1.5 for plastic bags. Higher costs can
challenge businesses.
Challenges include higher costs, a limited supply of jute or
cotton bags, and customer resistance to paying for bags.
Finding reliable suppliers can help overcome these issues.
Using reusable bags shows your commitment to sustainability,
attracts eco-friendly customers, and aligns with laws. It can
boost your brand and reduce long-term waste costs.
There’s a shortage of jute and cotton bags, with producers
struggling to meet demand. Partnering with suppliers early can
ensure your business has enough stock.
