With growing concerns over the environmental and public health hazards posed by polythene use, RAB-15 has launched a month-long awareness campaign in Cox’s Bazar. The initiative was officially inaugurated on Thursday morning at the city’s Borobazar area, in collaboration with the Department of Environment.
Major Nazmul Islam, Assistant Director of RAB-15 Cox’s Bazar battalion, said, “Single-use polythene bags are wreaking havoc on public life. The production, marketing, and usage of polythene shopping bags are legally banned in Bangladesh. Yet, their use continues, contributing to the spread of cancer and other life-threatening diseases.”
He urged both vendors and customers to opt for environmentally friendly and reusable alternatives.
As part of the campaign, RAB personnel distributed leaflets and used loudspeakers to inform the public about the harms of polythene. The initiative will not be limited to Cox’s Bazar town—awareness drives will also be carried out across various upazila headquarters and key locations throughout the district.
RAB stated that enforcement actions might follow the awareness phase to curb the use, storage, and sale of banned polythene bags.
By Abdu Rashid Manik
Cox’s Bazar Life Photo
