Staff Reporter :
Though single-use plastic bottles poses a significant threat to both environment and public health, only a negligible portion of them is being recycled in the country for a lack of proper planning and collective efforts.
A recent study revealed that the country uses maximum 3.84 billion of single-use plastic bottles annually — of which only 21.4 per cent could be recycled and remaining 78.6 per cent end up in rivers, sea and dumping stations, increasing health and environmental risks alarmingly.
The Environment and Social Development Organisation (ESDO) has published the report titled “Environmental Impact of Single-Use Plastic Bottles: Pollution and Health Risks” on 24th December.
The report focused on the severe environmental and health risks associated with single-use plastic bottles in Bangladesh.
Plastic bottles persist in the environment for up to 450 years, releasing micro plastics and toxic chemicals into ecosystems and food chains.
It said water bottles are more common in urban areas, while soft drink bottles dominate in rural regions.
Only 18.4 per cent of urban consumers and 5.5 per cent of rural consumers are aware of the health risks posed by the plastic bottles.
Approximately 51 per cent of urban consumers and 42 per cent of rural consumers dispose of plastic bottles after a single use.
Only 3.4 per cent of waste collectors are aware of the environmental consequences of the plastic bottles.
Chemicals like Bisphenol A (BPA), commonly found in these bottles, pose significant health risks, including hormonal disruption and long-term diseases such as cancer.
Syed Margub Morshed, chairperson of the ESDO, said, “Plastic pollution, especially from single-use plastic bottles, poses a significant threat to both our environment and public health. Collective action is crucial to reduce waste, improve recycling systems and protect our ecosystem.”
