Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO) yesterday urged the government to save the environment by phasing out the use of single-use plastic bags through the enforcement of relevant law that prohibits its use.

The call was made at a press conference organised yesterday by ESDO at its Lalmatia office ahead of the “International Plastic Bag-free Day” to be observed tomorrow in over 150 countries across the world, said a press release.

ESDO Chairperson and former secretary Syed Marghub Murshed said this year International Plastic Bag Free Day is very significant because all UN member states, over 193 countries, are celebrating the day with fresh commitment after the UN had announced the theme of World Environment Day as “Beat the Plastic Pollution”.

Siddika Sultana, executive director of ESDO, was also present during the press conference.

In 1989, under the leadership of Dr Shahriar Hossain, the anti-polythene campaign was initiated in Bangladesh. The campaign led to the founding of ESDO in1990, the release said.

ESDO's campaign -- highlighting the adverse effect of plastic bags on the environment and public health -- helped Bangladesh become the first country that banned production and marketing of plastic bags as well as pass a law in the parliament in 2002.

In July 1, 1997, ESDO initiated “Plastic Bag-free Day” and in 2002, it succeeded to convince the government declare a nationwide ban on production and use of polythene.

Later, different international organisations supported the initiative and Zero Waste Europe marked and celebrated International “Bag-Free Day” on July 3, in 2009, added the release.