KARACHI: The government should make compulsory the use of jute bags for storage and packaging of grains and other edibles. The use of jute bag is considered fit for human life, therefore, the government by promoting the sector can enhance its revenue from it which has been contributing Rs800 million to the exchequer in the form of different duties, taxes, levies, surcharge.
According to reports, currently, Pakistan has a demand for 180 million bags per year, of which 60 million is provided by other sources while the rest is met by the jute bags being reused many times.
According to Pakistan Jute Mills Association (PJMA), the federal government should ensure implementation of the UN guidelines for the storage of food items and make the use of jute bags compulsory for the packaging and long term storage of grains including wheat which will help government to reduce health burden of public and ensure food security in the county.
It has, scientifically, proven fact that plastic bags are neither environment friendly nor biodegradable and generate cancerous dioxins during the recycling procedure.
The PJMA stated that across the globe, use of polypropylene had been made to minimal because of the hazardous impacts it had on the human life and hence, use of jute bags had been suggested as the best alternative to store grains and other edibles.
