3:40 am, Sunday, 3 November 2024

Businesses for economic impact assessment before plastic ban

The Plastic Foundation, a platform representing 14 plastic manufacturers’ associations, on Monday urged the government to consult with stakeholders to assess the economic impact before implementing its plan to phase out single-use plastic products.

At a press conference at the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity in the capital, leaders of the plastic sector said that the sector comprised 6,000 industries and supported the livelihoods of thousands of people.

They said that without any consultation with stakeholders, the environment ministry issued a gazette notification on June 20 to phase out 17 single-use plastic products.

As per the circular, the interim government has taken initiative to eliminate all single-use plastics, which would severely disrupt the plastic sector and its related industries, they said.

Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association president Shamim Ahmed said that a ban on products could not be a viable solution as the 17 items listed for phase-out would make it impossible for the industry to continue operating.

He said that the ban on plastic packaging would impact all sectors, including food processing, pharmaceuticals, hospital equipment, modernisation and export packaging, and would also hinder exports.

‘Before implementing the decision I would request environment ministry to discuss with ecommerce ministry, industries ministry, BIDA, FBCCI and other organisations in this regard,’ Shamim said.

He claimed that if single-use plastic was banned, the investment of 6,000 industries in the sector would be at risk, and hundreds of thousands of workers would lose their jobs.

Shamim urged the government to take initiatives to convert waste into resources through plastic recycling, thereby reducing global warming and preventing ocean plastic pollution.

He also urged the government to take actions aligned with the UN Environment Assembly’s resolution to phase out single-use plastics by 2023.

Bangladesh Plastic Packaging, Roll Manufacturing Owners Association president Abu Motaleb threatened to take to the streets if the government kept its effort to ban single-use plastic without any consultation with the stakeholders.

‘We are currently in a crucial time, and it would not be good for the government if business people take to the streets,’ he said.

Businesses for economic impact assessment before plastic ban

Update Time : 08:24:21 pm, Monday, 14 October 2024

The Plastic Foundation, a platform representing 14 plastic manufacturers’ associations, on Monday urged the government to consult with stakeholders to assess the economic impact before implementing its plan to phase out single-use plastic products.

At a press conference at the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity in the capital, leaders of the plastic sector said that the sector comprised 6,000 industries and supported the livelihoods of thousands of people.

They said that without any consultation with stakeholders, the environment ministry issued a gazette notification on June 20 to phase out 17 single-use plastic products.

As per the circular, the interim government has taken initiative to eliminate all single-use plastics, which would severely disrupt the plastic sector and its related industries, they said.

Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association president Shamim Ahmed said that a ban on products could not be a viable solution as the 17 items listed for phase-out would make it impossible for the industry to continue operating.

He said that the ban on plastic packaging would impact all sectors, including food processing, pharmaceuticals, hospital equipment, modernisation and export packaging, and would also hinder exports.

‘Before implementing the decision I would request environment ministry to discuss with ecommerce ministry, industries ministry, BIDA, FBCCI and other organisations in this regard,’ Shamim said.

He claimed that if single-use plastic was banned, the investment of 6,000 industries in the sector would be at risk, and hundreds of thousands of workers would lose their jobs.

Shamim urged the government to take initiatives to convert waste into resources through plastic recycling, thereby reducing global warming and preventing ocean plastic pollution.

He also urged the government to take actions aligned with the UN Environment Assembly’s resolution to phase out single-use plastics by 2023.

Bangladesh Plastic Packaging, Roll Manufacturing Owners Association president Abu Motaleb threatened to take to the streets if the government kept its effort to ban single-use plastic without any consultation with the stakeholders.

‘We are currently in a crucial time, and it would not be good for the government if business people take to the streets,’ he said.