Dhaka: Plastic pollution is increasing gradually across the world. Different parts of nature are being damaged every day. Despite various steps, programmes, and plans, effective solutions have not yet been implemented to protect the environment.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, experts believe that adopting alternatives to the use of plastic is the only way to protect the environment. Environmental conservation and pollution prevention are being prioritized to increase global awareness. Recently, during the celebration of World Environment Day-2025, the message of environmental awareness was specially promoted.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) set ‘Ending Plastic Pollution’ as the theme of this year’s World Environment Day. This slogan has been promoted at the local level as “It is time to stop plastic pollution.” Marking the World Environment Day, different events gave special emphasis on reducing plastic waste, recycling, and using sustainable alternatives.
Bangladesh is also play
ing an active role in this initiative. Chief Adviser to the interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, at the opening ceremony of World Environment Day, said: “We all are here who are responsible for the destruction of the world. We are the accused.”
Prof Yunus stated that the use of plastic has increased three types of crises in the world-climate crisis, natural crisis, and loss of biodiversity. Plastic is not only leading the environment but also the biodiversity of the world to the path of destruction, he said. He emphasized the lack of proper plastic management, which has led to the world’s water bodies being filled with polythene and other plastics, threatening biodiversity.
The Chief Adviser also highlighted that plastic is harmful to the environment and all living things on earth. He encouraged citizens to decide from their hearts to quit plastic use, suggesting that avoiding single-use plastic once a week could significantly reduce plastic consumption.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Mini
ster Syeda Rizwana Hasan said her ministry has taken various effective steps to prevent environmental pollution. Initiatives include preventing the use of single-use plastic at the secretariat and limiting plastic use in shopping malls and markets.
In addition, Bangladesh has strongly rejected the draft of the Global Plastics Agreement proposed at the International Conference on Plastic Pollution in Geneva, Switzerland. The country argued that the draft is weak and inadequate, lacking full consideration of the plastic lifecycle, health effects, harmful chemicals, and mandatory measures.
Md Alamgir Kabir, General Secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), highlighted the ineffective implementation of the polythene ban in Bangladesh. A 2019 study indicated that 87,000 tonnes of single-use plastic are used annually, with 96% dumped into the environment.
Dr Ishrat Nazia, Chairman of the Department of Geography and Environment at Dhaka University, discussed the health risks and environmental disruptions c
aused by polythene, calling for collective efforts for future generations’ safety.
Single-use plastic was banned in Bangladesh in 2002, yet enforcement remains weak. As Bangladesh takes forward international and local initiatives to protect the environment, every citizen is urged to become aware of pollution and work towards reducing plastic use in daily life.