Alok Acharja

Now, in the world, the use of plastic is increasing rapidly. It is very popular. Plastic products also play an important role in the country's economy. Where once wood was used and every piece of furniture in the house was made of wood, plastic has quickly become popular in place of useful items. But when it becomes usefulness, we throw it anywhere, which is not even recycled, and eventually its small particles are spread on the ground. Mainly because a large part of plastic waste is not reused and due to over-reliance on it in daily life, the environment is in trouble. Moreover, toothpaste, shampoo packets or oil bottles, chips, food packets, soft drink bottles and the daily essential polythene, etc. are all made of plastic. These rivers or seas are found everywhere. The reason for this is that after eating or using them, we throw them away. Plastic is a synthetic or semi-synthetic and low melting point material, which can take any shape under heat and can be converted back into a solid. Thus, the use of plastic is becoming a threat to the environment.

A lot of plastic is found in the stomachs of Dead Sea animals. Which we are throwing into the sea at different times. Despite knowing that plastic is harmful, we use it and throw it everywhere to pollute the environment. But why do we do it? The answer is consistent with the use of polythene. Its use is increasing due to its portability, low price and comparative durability. Plastic is a popular carrying item in markets, shops and markets every day. At the moment, there is no suitable alternative to plastic that can be used to protect the environment. Although plastic is recycled and reused, it is being recycled. However, a large part of our daily products are not recycled, which has become a threat to humanity.

If plastic production is not stopped, the world will be filled with its pollution within the next decade. Even the whole world will struggle to control that waste. This is the warning given by Norway's Minister for International Development, Anne Beith Tvenerim. Beith Tvenerim represents more than 60 countries that want to combat plastic pollution, including Rwanda and Norway. Recently, researchers have found microplastics in samples of various organs of the human body, such as the uterus, arteries, testicles and semen. This highlights the extent of plastic and the health risks. The plastic crisis is a threat to human health, biodiversity and climate. Two years after 175 countries signed a historic agreement on this issue, the world has still not made progress in reducing the $712 billion plastic industry. The report says that by 2060, global plastic use could triple. And its use is expected to be highest in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. It is estimated that by 2060, plastic waste will triple, half of which will be unusable and less than a fifth will be recyclable. This year, researchers at the University of Leeds in the UK have published a list of the world's top plastic polluters. Bangladesh is in the top ten of that list. Basically, the list is made based on the amount of plastic waste a country releases into the environment every year. Accordingly, Bangladesh is ranked 6th on the list. India is at the top of the list. The country releases at least 9.3 million tons of plastic waste into the environment every year. With this, 604 Taj Mahals can be filled every year. 90 percent of this plastic comes from landfills or incinerated waste from different places. Earlier, China was at the top of this list.

However, China is ranked fourth in this list. China releases 2.8 million tons of plastic waste into the environment every year. Apart from this, Nigeria has come in second place on the list by releasing 3.5 million tons of plastic annually. Indonesia is in third place on the list. The country releases 3.4 million tons of plastic every year. Plastic furniture used in the house is not the apparent main cause of our plastic pollution. Because these products are used for a long time and a large part of them are recycled. But the shampoo, plastic bags, straws, small bottles or such small products that we are using from the market are threatening the environment. Immediately after using these, we are throwing them on the road, in the drain, in the river, in the park, in the sea.

We forget that plastic is not made of any natural material, but its effect is so serious that it remains in the soil for ages. It takes many years for plastic to decompose. Become popular with people Every day, a huge amount of plastic products are being used by the people of our country. A small part of those products is going back to the factory to be recycled. Like other beneficial discoveries of science, the discovery of plastic was a wonderful one. But like many discoveries, today plastic is threatening our human civilization. People are responsible for this. We are not able to use it properly. In a country like ours where people are not aware and few people have a headache about the environment, plastic will be a threat. Wherever there is a tendency to throw away usable things, this crisis is intensifying. We have to try our best to free the environment from the adverse effects of plastic. Although it is not easy. Because the vast areas in which plastic is being used now cannot be ended immediately. An alternative way has to be thought of. So that the use of plastic can be reduced little by little.

At one time, plastic did not have such diverse uses. At that time, environmental pollution was also less. As its use increases, the threat is increasing. Especially the bottom of the sea is being filled with these plastic products. Which is a threat to the entire biodiversity. A polythene-free society is very necessary to ensure a green environment. We have to try our best to free the environment from the adverse effects of plastic. Although it is not easy. Because the vast areas in which plastic is being used now cannot be ended immediately. An alternative way must be thought of. So that the use of plastic can be reduced little. In order to protect the environment and eliminate public health risks, along with reducing the use of plastic, emphasis must be placed on preventing pollution by throwing and burning plastic waste everywhere. The Bangladesh government is also firmly committed to addressing the threat of plastic. With the increasing use of plastic due to rapid urbanization, if we strengthen its waste management and are able to ensure its reuse, we will be able to come out of the horrors of plastic pollution. However, for this, public awareness is definitely needed.

The writer is a, Essayist and columnist Pabna