2.6m tonnes of single-use plastic waste enter Bay of Bengal yearly

Staff Reporter :
Over 2.6 million tones of single-use plastic waste enter Bay of Bengal per year, according to a study.
The study conducted by Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO) in collaboration with the Plastic Solutions Fund and the Global Alliance of Incineration Alternatives (GAIA).
The study revealed on Sunday also showed that the 18 trans-boundary rivers in Bangladesh carry approximately 15,345 tonnes of single-use plastic waste.
The study aims to increase regional collaboration for reducing trans-boundary movement of hazardous plastic waste and advocate with government and regulators to advance policy decisions.
Plastic pollution in our aquatic systems, especially through trans-boundary movement, was the focus of the study, according to the study team leader, Dr Shahriar Hossain.
It is intended to assist in making decisions related to riverine ecosystem conservation in Bangladesh, he said.
The trans-boundary rivers of Bangladesh which were assessed for this study are, in the case of upstream Mahananda, Dahuk, Karatoya, Tista, Dharla, Dudhkumar, Brahmaputra, Surma, Kushiyara; in the case of midstream Ganges, and in case of downstream lchamati-Kalindi, and Naf.
ESDO Chairperson Syed Marghub Murshed said, “Our water bodies have become a toxic pool of waste, contaminated by everything from drifting plastic packs to synthetic waste.”
“It is high time we should step up and take responsibility for one of the most important resources of our country. Additionally, the upcoming plastic treaty will also help our cause,” he added.
Dr Manjur Ahmed Chowdhury, Chairman of the National River Conservation Commission, said, “Bangladesh is called a riverine country. But this river is now under threat. This terrible single-use plastic, which never decomposes, is responsible for the destruction of our rivers.”
“We are hopeful that our government will definitely take appropriate action in this regard,” he added.
Dr Mahfuzul Haque, Adjunct Faculty of Department of Sociology of BUP, said, “It is not enough for the government alone to protect our rivers. We all need to come forward. Also, we need to discuss with all the countries from which the single-use plastics are floating for a proper solution.”
Dr Steve Fletcher, Professor of Ocean Policy and  
 Economy of the University of Portsmouth in UK, ESDO Executive Director Siddika Sultana, Jacob Kean-Hammerson, Project Officer (Climate and Ocean Operations) of Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) of UK and Shibu K Nair, Coordinator of GAIA India, among others, spoke at the event.