Polythene bags are a major environmental concern. An anti-polythene campaign "Go Green Bangladesh" is promoting commercial usage of Sonali Bags, a locally-made alternative to polythene.
Dr. Mubarak Ahmad Khan, who made the bag in 2017 from jute cellulose, is in full support of this campaign, reports UNB.
The scientist said: "The bag not only looks and feels like plastic but is also compostable and completely biodegradable. It currently costs about Tk10 per piece but the price will come down once they go into commercial production.
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“The price is not that high if you consider the environmental cost,” he added.
Suraiya Yasmin Ruma, cofounder of Go Green Bangladesh, said: "Despite their relatively high price, businesses are showing interest in them. The response has been impressive and a number of small businesses have contacted us for the Sonali Bag."
Owners of Onuvob, one of the first shops to embrace the bag, said they will donate 10 percent of their annual profits to the anti-polythene campaign.
Bangladesh banned thin polythene in 2002.
Ruma added: “We want to encourage businesses to shun polythene and embrace the environmentally-friendly Sonali Bag.”
