Plastic waste is the leading cause of climate change
About 0.80 million tons of plastic waste are generated in Bangladesh annually. Its estimates that one person consumes 18 kg of polythene per capita every year. Three lakh tons of plastics are dumped under and on river banks and in coastal areas. Forty percent of the country’s youth use plastic products. Plastic waste is one of the significant causes of climate change.
The speakers gave this information at a discussion meeting titled ‘Bangladesh in Plastic Pollution: The Way Out’ organized on the occasion of the third founding anniversary of the environmental organization Sabuj Andolan at the Zahur Hossain Chowdhury Auditorium of the National Press Club.
Bappi Sardar, Chairman of Sabuj Andolan, presented the keynote address on occasion. “Plastic pollution has a devastating effect on the environment,” he said.
From October 1, 2020, to August 1, 2021, the Department of Information and Research Council of Sobuj Andolon surveyed 100 people in 20 districts on the use and pollution of plastic products. It found that 98 percent of the country’s people use plastic products. However, 2% of people still use glass and clay products.
Bappi Sardar said that plastic products falling into the sea undergo radiation from the sun, producing microplastics that enter the fish’s body. About 850 aquatic animals have been infected with various diseases due to excess plastic products falling into the sea. Every year 10 to 12 lakh birds are affected by plastic pollution.
The Sobuj Andolon put forward several proposals to prevent plastic pollution. The recommendations are to build a dumping station in the divisional town to prevent waste mismanagement. The recycling process needs strengthen.
We must concentrate on growing the usage of jute products, lowering buyer prices, and providing cloth bags. The disposal of plastic products in seas, rivers, and reservoirs should prohibit entirely, and dustbins should be built-in markets and public areas. The government, the media, and the general public must all work together to raise public awareness about the need to stop producing and using plastics.
Professor Dr. AKM Nazrul Islam of Dhaka University, Professor Dr. Mohammad Jasim Uddin of Dhaka University’s Botany Department, Professor Dr. Adil Mohammad Khan of the Bangladesh Planners Institute, Advocate A guest speaker during the occasion was Abdul Quddus Badal, a member of the legal sub-committee and consultant to the Sobuj Andolan.
Secretary-General of the Sobuj Andolan Steering Council, Mohsin Sikder Pavel, Director Nadia Nur Tanu, Nilufar Yasmin Rupa, Vice-President of the Central Executive Council Nuruzzaman Babu, Joint General Secretary Anwar Sadat Sabuj, Health Secretary Dr. Mahtab Hossain Majed, Social Services Secretary Sameeran Roy, Media Affairs Secretary Mahabub Sohail, also mark their opinion in the event.
