Stop using banned polythene

The discovery of polythene in human history is a significant event. Polythene is something that does not degrade. It does not mix with the soil, nor does it rot. The same polythene can be reused, and new polythene can be made from it. Its use for packaging is easy and inexpensive. Therefore, plastic has been widely used for packaging products. Plastic bags have also become popular in Bangladesh over the last three to four decades. Where people once took bags made of fabrics to the market, now it is no longer necessary. A free plastic bag is given with any purchase.

Other plastic products are also ubiquitous in the country. From plates, bowls, spoons, cups, jugs, to showcases, cabinets, tables, and chairs, there is no household item or furniture that is not made from plastic. But unfortunately, despite its benefits for use, plastic or polythene is extremely harmful to nature. It is harmful because plastic never mixes with the soil. Due to rampant plastic use, the environment is being filled with dirt and waste. From drains to the oceans, plastic is polluting. Therefore, in developed countries, plastic use is minimal. Even when used, it is done carefully and with awareness, but in our country, plastic bags and packets are found everywhere—from roads to drains, canals, and rivers.

First, the people of our country are not aware of the environment and nature, and second, due to being a developing country, the use of plastic is higher here. In this context, starting from October 1, the use of plastic or polypropylene bags was banned in super shops. On November 1, plastic was also banned in kitchen markets. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has stated that legal action will be taken against anyone who violates the government's directive. However, even after the government’s ban, plastic use has not stopped. In some places, officers faced obstacles while carrying out anti-plastic drives. It is reported that in some areas, plastic bags were seized and users were fined.

We have heard many announcements of banning plastic in the past. We have seen the efforts of government officials for a few days, and then everything returned to the previous situation. The use of plastic has continued uninterrupted and in large quantities. There is no need for further research on how harmful plastic is. Just by keeping an open eye and ear, the severity of the issue becomes apparent. Many agricultural lands have become unfit for cultivation due to plastic. During the monsoon, the main reason for waterlogging in Dhaka and other cities is the indiscriminate disposal of plastic. And that is just a small part of it. The most devastating aspect is that plastic severely degrades the fertility of the soil. Even marine life is being affected, as fish are consuming plastic and losing the ability to reproduce. Plastic is such a harmful substance that even burning it causes damage to nature.

The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increases. The production and reproduction of plastic also cause similar harm. The question is, knowing all the damage, will we continue to use plastic? Certainly, plastic makes many of our daily tasks easier, but the permanent harm it causes has no remedy. A study has shown that 3,000 factories in Bangladesh produce 14 million plastic bags every day. There are more plastic bags in the rivers than fish. Every day, 547 tons of fish are caught from the country's rivers, whereas 73,000 tons of plastic are collected from the rivers of the Padma, Meghna, and Jamuna. Scientists in Italy have detected microplastics in breast milk, meaning plastic is mixing with our blood.

One day, this will put humans at great health risk. Due to plastic, diseases like cancer and other chronic illnesses are already emerging. So, should we continue using plastic? This cannot be solved just by making it illegal. It requires widespread public awareness. However, the government needs to be stricter on this matter. Along with proper law enforcement, social awareness about the harmful use of plastic must be increased. Furthermore, the use of jute products should be promoted as an alternative to plastic. No matter how easily available and cheap it is, we want the use of plastic to be stopped as soon as possible.