Sonali Bag
The Sonali Bag, also known as the Golden Bag, Jute Polymer, or Eco-friendly Poly Bag, is a bag made of a biodegradable bioplastic. It was created in Bangladesh as a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic bags by scientist Mubarak Ahmad Khan. The primary ingredient in the Sonali Bag is cellulose, derived from jute, a globally cultivated vegetable fiber crop.
History
In 2002, Bangladesh imposed a ban on polythene bags due to rising environmental concerns. This legislative move spurred research into natural fiber composite materials as potential replacements for polythene. Mubarak Ahmad Khan, a scientist at the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, worked with researchers from Bangladesh over several decades to create a new type of natural fiber composite material made from jute. In 2018, the Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation started the commercial production of Sonali Bag using a jute-based NFC developed by Mubarak Ahmad Khan. The product was named "Sonali Bag" by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. This name reflects a nickname used for jute in Bangladesh, 'the golden fiber'.