Alok Acharja
Polythene has a big responsibility behind the impact of climate change that we are suffering. Chemical compounds or polymer molecules like ethylene, polycarbonate, polypropylene etc. made of polythene are so smooth and strong that no microorganisms like bacteria, fungi can enter there. So polythene lasts for hundreds of years underground or in water and emits toxic which wastes soil fertility energy. It cannot be removed from the environment in any way. Polythene, which is available and used daily, is now a thorn for human civilization. Although it was banned a decade and a half ago in Bangladesh, polythene is still used in our daily activities. We throw it around after use. As a result, the surrounding canals, rivers and drains are covered with polythene. Now we sincerely want to use alternatives of polythene. But nothing is as easy as portable, light and functional like polythene has been widely spread among the people. That’s why every day in the market, this scene of the use of polythene and at home also. We are using polythene even though we know it is harmful. Even if polythene is burned and destroyed, the toxins that mix with the environment are extremely harmful. We are committed to creating a sustainable environment. Polythene is a barrier to the step.
Polythene is the headaches all over the world today. People must gradually lose interest in polythene when they get an alternative. Only that time this destruction of polythene can be stopped. So what could be the alternative? There are more versatile uses of jute than we used to know. One of them is a kind of polythene made of jute. A scientist in our country seems to have found the solution of this problem- sonali bag discovered from jute. By producing jute made polythene to facilitate the jute industry and save the environment of the country. It will be possible to earn a lot of foreign exchange on the one hand and protect the environment in the greater interest of mankind on the other.
The whole country including Dhaka city will benefit if the project of producing sonali bags is taken effectively because polythene bags made of jute are environmentally friendly, perishable and readily available. It is not easy to get rid of the habit that people have become enslaved as a result of using polythene for a long time. They need to be given a product that will be the closest alternative polythene. So a simple and nice solution of Sonali bags made of jute. Now it needs to be produced and marketed to replace the harmful polythene in the market so that everyone can use it easily. Its raw material is our native. As a result, on the one hand, we can earn foreign currency by exporting these bags.
Recently, the government has taken initiative to market sonali bags. It is a cellulose-based biodegradable environment friendly. That is an excellent alternative to plastic bags. Sonali bags look as light and durable as conventional polythene. This means that it is an alternative to conventional harmful polythene and will gradually remove polythene from the market. Polythene has long been popular with people because of its size and usability. Although everyone has an idea about its harmful effects. But due to the lack of alternatives, its harmful effects on the environment have been spreading for so long. If Sonali bags starts huge production and use, it will have an positive impact on jute, the main cash crop of Bangladesh.
It will need to increase jute production and farmers will also get better prices as this new use of natural element. So it turns out that the use of Sonali bags can solve a few aspects. First, people will lose interest in polythene when it is used. As a result, polythene will be automatically eliminated from the market. This will happen in the same way as in the case of other products. Over time, many products are no longer on the market. Because better alternatives have come to the market. Secondly, the jute market in the country will be strong. Farmers will be interested in jute cultivation if they get good price for jute. For various reasons, the interest in jute cultivation is less than before. If the new use of jute starts in the country, it will be needed in large quantities. As a result, the lost tradition of jute will come back.
Thirdly, if it is possible to expand the market for Sonali bags abroad, it will give a new impetus to the economy. We have to spread our discovery all over the world. As a result, we can protect our country from the toxic hands of polythene as well as decontaminate the world with polythene. In order to take the jute industry forward, it is necessary to ensure the versatile use of jute. It will soon become popular among the people. It is needed now huge production and marketing. Then harmful polythene will lose interest in contrast. We will be able to go a long way in sustainable environmental development.
Author is a Teacher and Columnist, Pabna, Bangladesh
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