Chittagong: Pragmatic steps are underway to increase jute bag production through state-run jute mills to curb the use of polythene. Simultaneously, the government is prioritizing awareness campaigns to encourage consumers to adopt jute bags as a sustainable alternative, said AHM Kamrul Hasan Sarkar, project head of Amin Jute Mills Limited in Chittagong, one of the country’s leading jute mills.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, during a recent visit by Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain Amin to the jute mill, the mayor assessed the possibility of producing jute bags as an alternative to polybags. “The CCC mayor, with the support of the Ministry of Environment, is working to reduce polythene usage in markets across Chittagong Metropolitan City,” Sarkar said.
‘If these factories produce and supply a sufficient number of jute products and hand-carrying bags, it will be easier for the government to enforce a ban on polythene use in the market,’ CCC Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain said while talking to BSS. He highlighted the major issue of waterlogging in Chittagong, attributing it to non-biodegradable polythene clogging the city’s drainage systems.
The mayor revealed that a Tk 300 crore allocation has been sought from the government for cleaning and repairing drains before the next monsoon season. He emphasized that adopting jute bags and biodegradable alternatives could mitigate environmental damage and save significant state funds currently spent on polythene removal.
He stressed the importance of prioritizing jute bag production as a polythene alternative and modernizing mill machinery to produce high-quality jute products. In the last fiscal year, Amin Jute Mills Ltd produced 21,816 metric tons of jute products, with 11,720 metric tons exported and 3,905 metric tons marketed locally.
According to Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation sources, out of 26 jute mills, six are in Dhaka, 10 in Chittagong, and nine in Khulna, while one jute mill is closed. The 10 jute mills in the Chittagong region include Amin Jute Mills Ltd, Gul Ahmed Jute Mills Ltd, Hafiz Jute Mills Ltd, MM Jute Mills Ltd, RR Jute Mills Ltd, Baghdad-Dhaka Carpet Factory, Karnaphuli Jute Mills Ltd, and Furat Karnafuli Carpet Factory.