Background
Plastic waste is accumulating in natural environments, causing long-term damage to ecosystems, wildlife, and human health. The widespread use of single-use plastics, driven by their affordability and convenience, contributes to the enormous amount of plastic waste generated. However, only a small percentage of plastic is recycled globally. Governments, organizations, and individuals are taking measures to combat plastic pollution, including improving waste management, promoting recycling, and increasing awareness. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is actively involved in addressing the problem and aims to develop a legally binding international agreement on plastic pollution. In Bangladesh, plastic pollution poses a severe challenge due to inadequate infrastructure and poor waste management practices. The country faces significant plastic pollution from neighboring nations through Transboundary Rivers. Despite some initiatives and bans on single-use plastics, implementation remains a challenge due to political issues and corruption. Efforts are being made to address plastic pollution in various Asian countries, including implementing laws, regulations, and policies to reduce plastic waste and promote sustainable practices. To tackle the plastic crisis effectively, it is essential to adopt global strategies focusing on efficiency, waste recovery, renewable energy, product redesign, and sufficiency.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has proposed a new model to eliminate 80% of plastic pollution by 2040 and reduce $4.5 trillion in investment costs The model focuses on a circular economy, emphasizing reuse, recycling, and sustainable alternatives to single-useplastics, with the possibility of a global ban on single-use plastic as early as 2030. During the second round of negotiations at the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC), Bangladesh proposed a global ban on single-use plastic and a reduction in virgin plastic production, aiming to address plastic pollution worldwide.
Bangladesh has been identified as one of the top 20 countries that contribute to plastic pollution. According to a recent study, every year, the Ganges, Meghna, and Brahmaputra rivers create 72,845 tons of plastic. Trans-boundary plastic garbage originates in China, India, Nepal, Myanmar, and Bhutan which accounts for 24 times more plastic garbage in its’ waterbodies. A study revealed earlier that Bangladesh’s yearly per capita plastic use in urban areas tripled, from 3.0 kg in 2005 to 9.0 kg in 2020. However, only 31% of the 977,000 tons of plastic consumed in 2020 were recycled.
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