Print: 28 Oct 2025
Badrul Huda Sohel
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has this year preferred a time-befitting theme for the World Environment Day 2025. The theme of this year -- “Beat plastic pollution” -- is triggering deep concerns among us since plastic pollution has entangled our country like the arms of an octopus, choking it from all directions. Though more than 50 years have already passed since UNEP initiated its journey with an aim to end pollution, the organisation has stumbled time and again in its journey, ensnared by the ripple effects of our own unscrupulous deeds echoing across the globe.
Following scientific and modern approaches, around 193 member states of UNEP are working relentlessly to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and protect our ecosystem. As far as our country is concerned, we all know that Dhaka has repeatedly been identified as one of the most polluted cities in the world. The question is -- is it possible for us to overcome this crisis?
Let's look back a little. In 2002, a law was enacted in the country banning the use of polythene or plastic polybags. Considered a threat to public health, the production, promotion and use of polythene bags were banned. More than two decades have passed, but polythene is still in use. Since the livelihood of thousands of people in the country is directly linked to the polythene industry, they will normally be reluctant to leave it so easily.
Since the interim government took office, it remained vocal against the usage of polythene bags, but to no avail. We don't know where and when this vicious cycle of plastic will end.
Last November, 'Policy Exchange Bangladesh', a research institute, held a roundtable discussion titled 'Environment Policy for Progress’, revealing a horrifying picture. It said that the amount of plastic used by per person in the country in 2005 was 3 kg while in 2020, it was 9 kg. Plastic is widely used in Dhaka as well (24 kg by a person per year).
Another study reported that, plastic and polythene are being produced in about 3,000 small and large factories in the country, manufacturing an average of 14 million polythene bags daily. Polythene and plastic contain various toxic chemicals. Through use, these chemicals get mixed with the soil, water, and food. If plastic and polythene are burnt after use, they easily mix with the air surrounding the atmosphere. When we breathe in that air, toxic chemical components easily enter human bodies, causing serious health hazards. Health hazards such as high blood pressure and cancer are the outcomes stemming from impure air, water and food consumptions. And, if polythene or plastic is not burnt, it is then usually thrown into the waterbodies. Thus, the non-biodegradable and insoluble properties of polythene and plastic are disrupting the habitat of aquatic animals. That is, plastic and polythene have become a serious threat to the ecosystem.
As the use of plastic or polythene has not significantly reduced despite repeated efforts, it is now imperative to think about the issue in a new way in order to survive. An alternative solution needs to be discovered. We need to find an alternative that is both accessible and affordable. Yes, many people suggest jute-made bags as an alternative. Cloth bags are also said to be a solution. The question remains -- can jute bags serve the same purpose as polythene bags? Unless affordable and reliable alternatives or solutions are offered to the public, the use of plastic or polythene will not reduce significantly, rather the problem may intensify. Science-based pragmatic steps are needed to prevent plastic pollution.
The current government is putting emphasis on protecting the environment from pollution. But if it fails to work diligently to formulate and implement a realistic environmental policy involving all the stakeholders, policy implementation will remain a far cry.
Conservation of plants and wildlife, fish and aquatic environments, and conservation of biodiversity are prerequisites for the survival of our human race. It is our responsibility to maintain the ecological balance. To make the ecosystem durable and sustainable, let’s remember the theme of the World Environment Day not only on June 5 but also throughout the year. Since humans are no less responsible for environmental degradation, we along with the government must work in tandem to protect the environment and save ourselves from impending dangers.
_________________________________________________________
The writer is Assistant Professor and Head of the Department of English, Ishakha International University.
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Will It Make Any Difference?
Badrul Huda Sohel
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has this year preferred a time-befitting theme for the World Environment Day 2025. The theme of this year -- “Beat plastic pollution” -- is triggering deep concerns among us since plastic pollution has entangled our country like the arms of an octopus, choking it from all directions. Though more than 50 years have already passed since UNEP initiated its journey with an aim to end pollution, the organisation has stumbled time and again in its journey, ensnared by the ripple effects of our own unscrupulous deeds echoing across the globe.
Following scientific and modern approaches, around 193 member states of UNEP are working relentlessly to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and protect our ecosystem. As far as our country is concerned, we all know that Dhaka has repeatedly been identified as one of the most polluted cities in the world. The question is -- is it possible for us to overcome this crisis?
Let's look back a little. In 2002, a law was enacted in the country banning the use of polythene or plastic polybags. Considered a threat to public health, the production, promotion and use of polythene bags were banned. More than two decades have passed, but polythene is still in use. Since the livelihood of thousands of people in the country is directly linked to the polythene industry, they will normally be reluctant to leave it so easily.
Since the interim government took office, it remained vocal against the usage of polythene bags, but to no avail. We don't know where and when this vicious cycle of plastic will end.
Last November, 'Policy Exchange Bangladesh', a research institute, held a roundtable discussion titled 'Environment Policy for Progress’, revealing a horrifying picture. It said that the amount of plastic used by per person in the country in 2005 was 3 kg while in 2020, it was 9 kg. Plastic is widely used in Dhaka as well (24 kg by a person per year).
Another study reported that, plastic and polythene are being produced in about 3,000 small and large factories in the country, manufacturing an average of 14 million polythene bags daily. Polythene and plastic contain various toxic chemicals. Through use, these chemicals get mixed with the soil, water, and food. If plastic and polythene are burnt after use, they easily mix with the air surrounding the atmosphere. When we breathe in that air, toxic chemical components easily enter human bodies, causing serious health hazards. Health hazards such as high blood pressure and cancer are the outcomes stemming from impure air, water and food consumptions. And, if polythene or plastic is not burnt, it is then usually thrown into the waterbodies. Thus, the non-biodegradable and insoluble properties of polythene and plastic are disrupting the habitat of aquatic animals. That is, plastic and polythene have become a serious threat to the ecosystem.
As the use of plastic or polythene has not significantly reduced despite repeated efforts, it is now imperative to think about the issue in a new way in order to survive. An alternative solution needs to be discovered. We need to find an alternative that is both accessible and affordable. Yes, many people suggest jute-made bags as an alternative. Cloth bags are also said to be a solution. The question remains -- can jute bags serve the same purpose as polythene bags? Unless affordable and reliable alternatives or solutions are offered to the public, the use of plastic or polythene will not reduce significantly, rather the problem may intensify. Science-based pragmatic steps are needed to prevent plastic pollution.
The current government is putting emphasis on protecting the environment from pollution. But if it fails to work diligently to formulate and implement a realistic environmental policy involving all the stakeholders, policy implementation will remain a far cry.
Conservation of plants and wildlife, fish and aquatic environments, and conservation of biodiversity are prerequisites for the survival of our human race. It is our responsibility to maintain the ecological balance. To make the ecosystem durable and sustainable, let’s remember the theme of the World Environment Day not only on June 5 but also throughout the year. Since humans are no less responsible for environmental degradation, we along with the government must work in tandem to protect the environment and save ourselves from impending dangers.
_________________________________________________________
The writer is Assistant Professor and Head of the Department of English, Ishakha International University.