Per capita plastic use to grow five-fold by 2030

Bangladesh needs to enhance its waste management capacity to cope with the health and environmental hazards to be caused by an enormous rise in the plastic consumption in the next 12 years, plastic makers said on Monday.

According to them, per capita consumption of plastic products in the country is expected to rise up to 30 kilogram by 2030 from six to seven kilogram (kg) now.

So the waste management will have to be improved gradually, otherwise it will create a big problem for the environment, they cautioned.

They were speaking at a press conference on the eve of the International Plastic Fair-2018 (IPF-2018).

The four-day exposition will kick off tomorrow (Wednesday) at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) in the capital. Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed is expected to inaugurate the fair as the chief guest.

Jashim Uddin, President of Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters' Association (BPGMEA) said there is no way to avoid the use of plastic products as lifestyle is changing every day. People want hassle-free daily lives, he said.

Although per capita consumption of plastic goods is now only 6 to 7 kg in Bangladesh, the plastic waste is not being managed properly, he observed.

The BPGMEA president said, they are preparing the 'Plastic Sector Road Map-2030' which will complete shortly.

"Overall growth, including export (of plastic items from Bangladesh) also will increase several times within this period," he said, adding that currently the sector is distributing plastic goods worth Tk 250 billion at local market annually.

Jashim Uddin also requested the government to enact a uniform packaging law to protect interests of all related industries.

He said they are not against the local use of jute bags. "But authorities concerned should not take any decision based on emotion as plastic packaging materials are essential in many other products like poultry feed."

The plastic goods manufacturers also urged the government to implement the project of plastic industrial park immediately.

They also demanded bringing all exporters under cash incentive facilities as presently the bonded-facilitated plastic units are not enjoying this incentive.

A total of 480 local and international exhibitors from 16 countries have set up stalls at the venue to showcase their products. The sales of spaces to set up stalls increased about 20 per cent this year than that of the previous year.

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