The Bay of Bengal will receive five times more plastics in 2025 than in 2010, an expert says, underscoring the severity of the plastic pollution crisis in Bangladesh.
“Through collective action and collaboration, we can address the root causes, reduce plastic leakage, and contribute to achieving SDGs 12 and 14. It is crucial to engage all stakeholders to ensure a sustainable and plastic-free future,” said Dr Shahriar Hossain, founder of ESDO (Eco-Social Development Organization), a member of the UNEP scientific advisory committee on marine litter and micro-plastic pollution. He is also the executive vice-president of the World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry.
Dr Shahriar presented the keynote paper at the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in Bangladesh, which hosted "SDG Café," a monthly roundtable discussion series dedicated to addressing pressing development challenges and co-creating innovative solutions.
This was the 8th episode of café and it places the spotlight on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 12 & 14), and thus it was themed “Plastic Pollution and Waste Management in the Marine Environment: Drivers, Impact and Solutions”.
Plastic pollution remains a global threat, with South Asia being the second-largest contributor to global plastic waste. Bangladesh, ranking sixth in the world for plastic and polythene pollution in its water bodies, faces critical environmental challenges.
The roundtable emphasized the urgent need to address this issue to achieve Agenda 2030, particularly SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water).
The Country Manager of UNOPS in Bangladesh, Sudhir Muralidharan, acknowledged the gravity of the situation and the crucial need for collaborative efforts.
“We understand the threats posed by plastic pollution not only to our environment but also to food safety, human health, coastal tourism, and its role in exacerbating climate change.”
He said: "In the face of the escalating crisis of plastic pollution globally, where South Asia contributes a staggering 334 million tons of solid waste annually, with 70 to 80% of this waste, including 12% plastic, finding its way into our oceans, urgent action is unavoidable.”
“Bangladesh, ranking sixth globally in plastic and polythene pollution through its rivers and canals, faces significant challenges that demand immediate attention.”
Charles Callanan, Director of UNOPS South Asia Multi-country Office, emphasized the urgency of addressing plastic pollution in the region. He mentioned, “Recent statistics reveal an alarming scale of environmental degradation. With over 8 million tons of plastic entering oceans annually, collaborative efforts like SDG Café are crucial.”
A comprehensive circular economy framework, specifically designed for plastics and spanning multiple sectors, is urgently needed. This framework must address the root causes of plastic pollution directly and collaboratively with industry stakeholders to forge sustainable supply chains, the UNOPS official said.
This SDG Cafe brought together key stakeholders in Bangladesh, including government officials, international organizations, and development partners, such as the Environment Wing Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Department of Disaster Management (DDM), Asian Development Bank (ADB), World Vision, Brac, embassies, UN agencies, and academicians, among others.