This year's theme of the Earth Day was "End Plastic Pollution". To end the menace of such pollution, Bangladesh has already imposed a ban on production, marketing and use of polythene bags following the deleterious effects of polythene and plastic goods. Besides, the government has brought in an amendment to the Jute Packaging Act, 2013 and made the use of jute bags compulsory for all purposes for which polythene and plastic bags were used. But the polythene bags have somehow flooded the markets once again in different shapes.
To be true, pollution across the country is so ubiquitous that it is hard to get anything in its virgin purity. We see our land, rivers, drinking water, air, forest, food, ecology etc., having been polluted to such a high extent that it calls for our first and foremost attention to reduce pollution before it does cause colossal and irreparable damage to our health and ecology. In recent years, plastic and polythene have added to the detrimental factors responsible for pollution of the environment. Polythene manufacturers in the country are still producing it in a massive quantity and marketing the items thereof. The law has not been enforced strictly. Also the stark reality remains that such hazardous items are still in demand.
In 1990, about 15,000 tonnes of plastic were used in the country. It is a big surprise that in 2010 there was a spurt in the use of plastic to the extent of 750,000 tonnes. Over the last 20 years, the use of plastic and polythene has thus swelled fifty times in the country. This surge in polythene and plastic use might be attributed to absence of cheaper or convenient alternatives to such pollutant materials. But we should not ignore the fact that it is suicidal, under the present circumstances, to overuse polythene and plastic materials. Because, the ecology of the country is at a grave risk as very tiny particles are entering the food chain at every stage due to polythene and plastic wastes. Plastic particles like micro-beads are also found in soap, toothpaste, face-wash and many other cosmetics that we use in our daily life. These toxic micro-beads get mixed with the water of the wetlands through the sewage system. The presence of toxic micro-beads has also been found in sea fishes that we consume.
The country produces everyday about 3.5 million pieces of tissue bags. Such bags are actually made of polythene. Those have flooded the country's shopping malls, departmental stores, fashion houses etc. The discarded bags are resulting in waterlogging and threatening the environment by way of clogging the drains, canals, and wetlands along with rivers across the country. The authorities concerned should, therefore, take stringent measures to ensure the use of eco-friendly bags made of jute, paper and cloth. They should also strongly enforce the laws related to environment. Besides, they need to raise public awareness about the perils of plastic and polythene materials. The authorities should thus make all arrangements so that we can get rid of the problem as soon as possible before it gets out of control.
In fact, the reason why the use of plastic is objectionable is its longevity. It will not break down into its constituent chemicals in the way jute, wood, paper and other materials do. Lately the British scientists working in a Japanese waste disposal facility have accidentally created an enzyme. It breaks down polyethylene terephthalate (PET) which is one of the most commonly-used plastics, more widely so in the manufacturing of drink-bottles. Once it becomes possible for scientists to develop an enzyme to break down one form of plastics, then it will be possible for others, too. If common plastics were to become biodegradable, then there may not be any objection to their use, since there is a strong demand for such items. If the degradation problem is overcome, plastics which use minimal energy to produce, would then be an environmental-friendly option.
Through biological treatment in the near future, it may become quite possible not just to deal with plastic waste but also to unleash agents into the ocean. Such agents can make light work of handling the problem of the existing plastic waste. If the scientists are eventually able to solve the problem of plastic waste and pollution, then doubts over technology providing the solution to the problem, would no longer be there.
But a token ban on the production of a few everyday items will not work. The problem has to be addressed through well-meant initiatives so that the customers do not become unenthusiastic about them at quite an early stage. Ultimately, the solutions that succeed, tend to be those which facilitate economic growth and sustained development.
Sarwar Md. Saifullah Khaled is a retired Professor of Economics
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