A sea of non-biodegradable plastic waste has engulfed Jamal Khan canal in Chattogram, threatening the port city with severe waterlogging during monsoon.

Despite a government ban on polythene bags dating back to 2002, the canal serves as a grim reminder of lax enforcement and the pervasive use of single-use plastics.

During a recent visit, the canal appeared more like a landfill, clogged with plastic waste primarily discarded by nearby residents.

Locals alleged that tenants of buildings along the canal toss household waste, including polythene bags, directly out their windows.

Others reportedly choose the canal as their dumping ground to avoid going to dustbins.

Utpal Barua, a resident of Jamal Khan area, said, "The government banned polythene bags in kitchen markets from November 1, but where is the action? People still bring home vegetables and fish in these bags, then dump the waste into the canal."

According to a 2022 study by the Civil Engineering Department of Chattogram University of Engineering and Technology (Cuet) produces 3,000 tonnes of waste daily, of which 249 tonnes (8.3 percent) are plastic and polythene.

Alarmingly, 140 tonnes of this waste go uncollected, ending up in canals and drains, choking the city's drainage systems.

Prof Swapan Kumar Palit of CUET Civil Engineering Department highlighted the lack of adherence to the "Mandatory Jute Packaging Act, 2010" and "Mandatory Jute Packaging Rules-2013," which require jute-based packaging for a range of essential goods.

"Despite these regulations, we see no implementation in the market," he said.

"Around 90 percent of carry-bags used in grocery shops and kitchen markets are still plastic and polythene."

Pranab Kumar Sharma, deputy conservation officer of Chattogram City Corporation, said, "We're removing waste from the canal, but resource limitations prevent us from addressing all canals simultaneously."

Experts emphasise that banning polythene bags isn't enough without viable alternatives.

Prof Sekandar Khan of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolan said, "Polythene use will decline naturally when affordable alternatives become widely available. The government must provide incentives to support alternative packaging industries."

Meanwhile, kitchen markets near the canal continue to flout the ban.

Vendors, however, argue they have no choice.

"Customers demand polythene bags. If they don't bring their own, how can we pack their purchases?" asked Md Ismail, a vendor.