Kohinoor Akter |
World Environment Day, celebrated
annually on June 5, is a platform for the United Nations to promote
environmental awareness and action. It was established by the United Nations
General Assembly in 1972, during the Stockholm Conference on the Human
Environment, which marked the beginning of global awareness and action for the
environment. To celebrate this day, each year carry a different theme. In 2025,
the theme is "Ending Plastic Pollution," aligning with the global
campaign #BeatPlasticPollution. The Republic of Korea is hosting the event,
focusing on Jeju Province, a region committed to becoming plastic-free by 2040.
The theme emphasizes the urgent need to address plastic pollution, which
affects ecosystems, wildlife, and human health. Bangladesh is not an exception
to the serious environmental problems caused by plastic pollution. Waste
production and plastic consumption have skyrocketed as a result of the nation's
fast industrialization, urbanization, and population growth. In addition to
harming ecosystems, this widespread pollution poses serious health risks to the
mass people. This article explores the various effects of plastic pollution in
Bangladesh, noting the negative effects on the environment and human health as
well as the pressing need for all-encompassing mitigation measures.
Bangladesh, a country that is
particularly vulnerable to climate change, is currently dealing with plastic
pollution, another man-made crisis. Plastics used to be a symbol of economic
expansion and modern convenience, but the unchecked spread is now threatening
public health and ecological integrity. The problem is both obvious and subtle,
ranging from Dhaka's overworked drainage systems to fish in the Bay of Bengal
being contaminated by micro plastics. The costs of plastic pollution to the
environment and public health necessitate immediate, systemic action as the
nation attempts to strike a balance between sustainability and development. Every
day, Bangladesh produces about 3,000 tons of plastic waste, much of which is
improperly managed because of a lack of proper waste management infrastructure.
Particularly impacted are urban areas like Dhaka, where plastic waste
frequently clogs drainage systems, resulting in waterlogging and related health
risks. The problem is made worse by the extensive use of single-use plastics,
like polythene bags and packaging materials, which are rarely recycled and
frequently wind up in the environment.
An
escalating crisis: Bangladesh's extent of plastic pollution -
A 2020 World Bank report states
that the amount of plastic consumed in urban Bangladesh increased more than
fourfold, from 179,000 tons in 2005 to 821,000 tons in 2020. Less than half of
the 646 tons of plastic waste produced daily in Dhaka alone is recycled. Even
though the nation was the first in the world to outlaw polythene bags in 2002,
a large portion of this waste ends in landfills, rivers, open drains, and even
the ocean. The informal nature of the recycling economy and the disparity
between urban and rural waste management infrastructure are what set Bangladesh
apart. Waste pickers recover some plastics, particularly in urban areas, but a
significant amount is left uncontrolled and untreated, building up in the
environment or being burned illegally.
Environmental
Degradation: Land, Water, and Marine Ecosystems -
In Bangladesh, plastic pollution
has emerged as one of the biggest environmental hazards, especially in areas
that are low-lying and prone to flooding. Single-use plastics like polythene
bags clog urban drainage systems, which leads to urban flooding during monsoon
seasons. This is a common calamity in Dhaka, Chattogram, and Sylhet. More than
90% of water samples from major rivers, such as the Buriganga and Karnaphuli,
had microplastic contamination, according to a 2022 study by the Department of
Environment (DoE).
The crisis is more severe in marine
and coastal ecosystems. The presence of microplastics in fish species that
humans eat has been confirmed by research from the University of Dhaka's Center
for Advanced Research in Sciences (CARS), which has raised concerns about
contamination of the marine food chain. Delicate mangrove ecosystems in the
Sundarban are also in danger due to the buildup of plastic from upstream river
systems and tourism waste.
Human
Exposure and Health Risks: From Waste to Bloodstream -
In addition to harming the
environment, plastic pollution is becoming a bigger direct and indirect health
risk to people. Dioxins, furans, and heavy metals—known carcinogens associated
with respiratory disorders, hormone imbalances, and birth defects—are released
when plastics are burned in brick kilns and informal settlements. However,
open-air burning is still common in Bangladesh's urban outskirts because of lax
enforcement.
More concerning, a new and mostly
uncontrolled public health risk has been brought about by the spread of
microplastics and nanoplastics—particles that are small enough to enter human cells.
Microplastics were found in Bangladeshi locally farmed fish and bottled
drinking water, according to a 2023 study published in Science of the Total
Environment. Chronic inflammation, endocrine disruption, and possible
neurotoxicity are among the long-term effects of consuming food and water
tainted with plastic.
Who
Pays the Price? Environmental Justice and Class Divide -
Not every community is equally
impacted by plastic pollution. Low-income and marginalized groups bear a
disproportionate amount of the environmental burden, especially in informal
settlements close to landfills and rivers. Despite having no access to
healthcare or legal recourse, these communities are continuously exposed to
contaminated air and water. According to data from the International Centre for
Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh, children who grow up in such areas have
higher rates of gastrointestinal illnesses, skin infections, and asthma
(icddr,b).
Deeper concerns about environmental justice are also brought up by this: Who
pays for and gains from the unregulated plastic economy? The demand for
convenience packaging is driven by urban consumers and multinational
corporations, with slum dwellers and informal workers bearing the toxic consequences.
This glaring injustice necessitates redefining plastic pollution as an
environmental issue but also as a human rights and public health crisis.
Policy
and Legal Gaps: Why the Ban Isn’t Enough -
The scope of the plastic crisis
exceeds the capacity of Bangladesh's legal system. Although the 2002 ban on
polythene bags was a first for the world, it has largely failed due to a lack
of alternatives, lax enforcement, and regulatory flaws. Although the Plastic
Waste Management Rules 2021 and the Environment Conservation Act 1995 are in
place on paper, they are not being implemented because of a lack of political
will, coordination, and manpower. Furthermore, Bangladesh's national plastic
policies are still not in line with international agreements like the Basel
Convention on Plastic Waste or the UN Treaty to End Plastic Pollution, which is
presently being negotiated. If national and international efforts are not
coordinated, the nation runs the risk of falling behind in terms of innovation
and compliance.
What
Are the Options? Ways to Avoid Plastic in the Future -
A comprehensive
strategy that incorporates scientific research, policy reform, and grassroots
involvement is needed to combat plastic pollution. Among the suggestions are:
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Requiring plastic waste to be recycled
by manufacturers can ease the strain on local governments.
Promoting biodegradable substitutes: Government grants for packaging made of
jute and compostable materials may help regional green businesses.
Prohibition of single-use plastics (SUPs): It is essential to implement a
gradual but firm prohibition of SUPs with enforceable fines.
Environmental education and behavior modification: Community-based initiatives,
particularly in marketplaces and schools, can lessen reliance on plastic.
Investing in waste-to-energy technologies: Pyrolysis and other sustainable
disposal techniques can handle plastic waste that cannot be avoided.
In
conclusion
Plastic pollution in Bangladesh is a serious ecological and public health
concern that goes beyond convenience or aesthetics. Half-measures are no longer
an option in light of growing environmental disparities, uncontrolled toxic
exposure, and increasing microplastic contamination. Bangladesh must now regain
its position as a leader in plastics bans by taking decisive, fact-based
measures that put sustainability, justice, and health first. Only then will we
be able to start repairing the harm and creating a sustainable environment for
coming generations.