Although the law was enacted in 2002, its copies are yet to reach the authorities responsible for its implementation, they said at a press conference.

Even there is no monitoring system under the environment directorate to effectively enforce the law, they added.

Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Bapa), a non-government environmental organisation, organised the news conference at the National Press Club in the city.

Criticising the government's recent decision to allow a company to produce polythene products for export, Prof Dr Bazlul Haque Khondaker said, "Such a move will encourage the use of polythene products in the country instead of stopping its use."

Recently, there is a growing trend of using disposable plastic products such as plastic water bottles and disposable plates and spoons, which also causes damage to the environment like polythene bags, he said.

The environmentalists also urged the government to close down all polybag-making factories and remove all such bags from the markets.

Kazi Mohammad Shish, former chief engineer of Dhaka Wasa, Dr Abdul Matin, joint general secretary of Bapa, and Amit Ranjan Dey also spoke at the press conference.