Producers of plastic products have urged the government to delay the ban on single-use plastics until 2030, citing potential negative impacts on trade, packaging industries, and the pharmaceutical sector.

They raised these concerns during a press conference at Dhaka Reporters' Unity (DRU) in the capital on Monday.

They expressed concerns that a large number of workers in this sector may become unemployed if the government enforces restrictions on 17 single-use plastic items.

They highlighted that around 13 lakh small traders are involved in the sale of plastic goods in Bangladesh, contributing approximately Tk40,000 crore to government revenue.

Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association President Shamim Ahmed and Bangladesh Plastic Packaging and Roll Manufacturing Owners Association President Abu Motaleb were among the speakers at the event.

They presented an 11-point demand aimed at protecting the environment while advocating for the recycling of plastic products, similar to practices in Japan.

The government has identified 17 hazardous single-use plastic items for a phased ban, including cigarette filters, fast food wrappers, plastic bottles and caps, straws, stirrers, disposable utensils, Styrofoam packaging, and melamine foam sponges, according to an August 2024 circular issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.

Shamim Ahmed also emphasised the need for affordable alternatives to plastic bags, referring to the challenges faced in enforcing the 2002 polythene bag ban law.

He stated that without cost-effective and accessible alternatives, the ban cannot be fully implemented, as evidenced by the failure to phase out plastic shopping bags in the last 22 years.