Guidelines for use of plastic alternatives in government offices

The cabinet department has directed all government offices to stop the use of single-use plastic products to control environmental pollution and use alternative products of single-use plastic products. Following the request of the advisor of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, this directive has been issued by the Cabinet Department on Thursday.

It is learned that, under the direction of the Cabinet Department, it has been requested to use files and folders made of paper or other environment-friendly materials instead of plastic files and folders. Cotton or jute fabric bags are asked to be used instead of plastic bags.

Instead of plastic water bottles it is recommended to use glass bottles and glass glasses. It is requested to use banners made of cotton fabric, jute fabric or biodegradable material instead of plastic banners. Apart from this, invitations, visiting cards and various types of promotional materials have been asked to avoid plastic laminated.

The guidelines have asked to ensure that food packets served in various meetings, seminars are made of paper or eco-friendly. It has been requested to avoid all products including single-use plastic plates, glasses, cups, stews, cutlery. It is asked to use pencil or paper pen instead of plastic pen.

It has been asked to avoid the use of laminated wrapping and plastic in all types of publications including annual reports and to stop the use of plastic in flower bouquets. All senior secretaries, secretaries, divisional commissioners and district commissioners have been requested to provide necessary instructions to all ministries, departments and agencies under their jurisdiction to take appropriate action in these matters.

Apart from this, the cabinet department has requested the secretaries of all ministries and departments through a letter issued on August 15 to take necessary measures to implement the initiative of declaring single-use plastic free as part of creating awareness and taking effective action on plastic pollution.

Through a notification issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on August 28, 17 types of objects, materials and substances have been determined as 'single use plastic'. After that, in an office order issued on August 29, the Ministry of Environment and its subordinate offices and organizations have been requested to take action by 'declaring the cessation of single use plastic' at personal and official levels.

Bangladesh /FM