Plastic has become essential in modern life. Though it made living easier and more affordable since its invention in the 19th century, plastic is now causing serious environmental harm. This crisis is unfolding right before our eyes.
With technological growth and consumerism, global plastic production hits around 400 million tons annually, 36 per cent of which is single-use. According to UNEP, only 9 per cent of plastic is recycled, 12 per cent incinerated, and a staggering 79 per cent ends up polluting land and water. This pollution causes an economic loss of about $13 billion yearly in fisheries, transport, and tourism.
Plastic is non-biodegradable. A plastic bottle can take 450 years to decompose, and a plastic bag up to 1000 years. Once discarded, plastic remains in the environment for generations, releasing methane gas, which increases global warming.
Marine ecosystems suffer severely as plastic kills wildlife and enters the food chain, eventually affecting humans. Microplastics have been found in human blood, lungs, and even placentas, threatening our hormones, reproductive health, and nervous system.
In Bangladesh, plastic pollution clogs urban drainage, causing widespread waterlogging, especially in Dhaka. Despite government bans on single-use plastics, enforcement is weak, and plastic waste litters rivers, roads, and coastal areas. Responsibility lies with both authorities and citizens.
To combat plastic pollution, existing laws must be enforced strictly. Awareness campaigns, fines, and alternatives like bamboo, paper, glass, and jute products are vital. The 3R policy-Reduce, Reuse, Recycle-should guide our actions. If we act now, change is possible.
This is not just an environmental issue; it's a fight for our future. We've borrowed the Earth from previous generations-it's time to repay that debt.
Nusrat Sultana
Student
University of Chittagong
