Single-use plastics should stop to prevent plastic pollution
Emphasis should be placed on the English letter’s three R’s, i.e., Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle to prevent plastic pollution.
A coordination committee with government and non-governmental organizations representatives should form to monitor the overall issue and implement the Act to regulate and ban plastic, polythene market bags, and polythene products. Using single-use plastics for products other than medical equipment should be stopped.
In a discussion meeting titled ‘Bangladesh endangered by polythene-plastic pollution: Actions and Remedies’ held Dhaka recently where 15 points of such demands to prevent plastic pollution have been placed by Bangladesh Environment Movement (BAPA).
BAPA organized that discussion meeting. Architect Iqbal Habib of the organization read the 15-point demand. He also served as moderator of the discussion meeting.
The other demands of the 15 points are high taxes if plastic is used in the packaging of various products, including food, the inclusion of producers in the process of waste collection under a circular economy, fines for plastic polluters, and the closure of illegal factories.
No reason to allow the production of any more polythene shopping bags, support the production of jute and textile products, take strict measures to prevent the misuse of plastic and polythene raw materials, increase the duty on the import of plastic raw materials, and reduce the duty tax on plastic substitute products. Plastic bottles should ban in the marketing of water and soft drinks. The Jute industry needs to revive.
Prof. M. Feroze Ahmed, Vice President of BAPA, highlighted the different levels of plastic pollution in other places, including rivers and seas in different countries.
He said, “Plastic consumption is high in Asia, and plastic waste management is lagging. Bangladesh was the first country in the world to ban polythene bags in 2002.”
But in reality, it has no reflection. In Bangladesh, 100 factories produce 0.140 million tons of plastic daily. But plastic does not decompose even in 100 years. And during COVID-19, the use of plastic in different ways, including masks, increased considerably in the country.
Prof. Noor Mohammad Talukdar, President of BAPA, the acting presided over the meeting. He said, “You or I go to the market and look for plastic bags.”
“The issue of prevention of plastic pollution should give importance in the election manifesto of political parties, He urged.
Mahbub Hossain, executive member of BAPA and professor of the microbiology department of BRAC University, once called for the ban on single-use plastics.
Giving his example, he said, “I don’t use more than one polythene bag. And if there is an opportunity, I don’t use it at all. Try not to buy products wrapped in polythene. In other words, we must change our lifestyle to prevent plastic pollution.”
Monowarul Islam, Head of the Program, Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO), said, “His organization has been doing anti-plastic movement since 1990.
Working to create public opinion against plastic and polythene. He emphasized changing our attitude to prevent plastic pollution.”
Manowarul Islam said, “Neighboring countries are also involved in plastic pollution. Plastics are entering this country’s rivers from neighboring countries’ rivers. Later it goes to the sea. So, countries have to work together.”
He emphasized the involvement of adolescents and youth in plastic pollution prevention activities.
