Environmental activists and experts have urged the government to impose an immediate nationwide ban on single-use plastic with strict enforcement.
They made the call at a policy dialogue on "Plastic Pollution Towards Plastic Treaty Negotiation, organised by Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO) in the city on Wednesday.
Addressing the event, Saber Hossain Chowdhury MP, Chairman of the Standing Committee on the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, said that plastic pollution is a vital problem for both humanity and the environment.
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He said reducing plastic pollution requires collaboration between the government and the public, eventually leading to a global agreement.
Syed Marghub Murshed, chairperson of ESDO and former secretary of the government, who chaired the policy dialogue, said that it is quite alarming that Bangladesh is one of the most plastic-polluted nations in South Asia.
He said plastic exerts a significant influence on the environment. “We've already put a stop to the use of polythene bags. Despite our efforts, plastic pollution remains a problem we cannot solve.”
Dr. Mahfuzul Haque, Adjunct Faculty, Department of Sociology, BUP, and former secretary of the government, said: “When each person makes environmentally conscious choices, it adds up to a significant positive impact on the environment. Small actions, like reducing single-use plastics, using alternative products, and choosing to refill, can collectively result in substantial changes.”
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SK Rafiqul Islam, Chief Controller, Office of the Chief Controller of Imports & Exports, mentioned that the rivers of Bangladesh are a representation of the country's scenic beauty since it is a riverine country. However, plastic pollution mostly contaminates these rivers.
“We need to stop plastic pollution at the source and properly segregate our waste at the source” he said.
It was informed in the function that Bangladesh banned plastic bags two decades ago, but non-biodegradable items are still found in kitchens, public spaces, and upscale retail centers.
Polythene bags are still being made, bought, and used in Bangladesh despite being banned in 2002. The government of Bangladesh has been sluggish in implementing this law to be advantageous.
Last year, a study of ESDO revealed that each day, 18 transboundary rivers in Bangladesh carry approximately 15,345 tons of single-use plastic waste of which 2802 tons originate from India and Myanmar. 2519 tons come from India and 284 tons from Myanmar.
Approximately 2.6 million tons of single-use plastic waste enter the Bay of Bengal every year, of which nearly half a million tons are trans boundary wastes.
The Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change reportedly gave all parties concerned instructions to prohibit using single-use plastic totally from 12 coastal areas of Bangladesh by 2023 following an order from the High Court published in this gazette. Only four months remain in 2023 as of August 2023, yet the implementation process is moving very slowly.
Dr. Shahriar Hossain, the Secretary General of ESDO, has stated that this plastic treaty has more meaning than just a piece of paper.
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He said, “Plastic waste is present in even the most isolated areas of our planet, suffocating marine life and littering beaches. It's a worldwide issue that impacts every nation, group, and individual. Despite this disaster, the Global Plastic Treaty gives us hope.”
Siddika Sultana, the Executive Director of ESDO, said the organisation has been engaged in advocating and campaigning against plastic pollution with various stakeholders.
“The network has empowered young people to become a global voice to end plastic pollution.”
Board members of ESDO, academicians from different renowned universities, representatives from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Food, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Tourism BIWTA, NBR, Consumer FBCCI, JDPC, BELA, students and green club member of ESDO from Lalmatia Girls High School and College and Lalmatia Housing Society School and College along with media representatives actively participated at the event.