Drowning in plastic debris
Global plastic production reaches 359 million
tons, 8 million tons end up in the world’s oceans every year, Bangladesh
produces 87,000 tons of single-use plastics waste annually
The world has seen never before the
proliferation of plastic hitting an extreme level with the global plastic
production reaching 359 million tons a year now from just 1.5 million tons just
70 years ago in 1950.
The United Nations Economic and Social
Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) stated in a recent report that
plastic users across the world tend to think that the plastics they use are
being recycled.
But, in
reality, only 9% of all plastic waste ever produced has been recycled, said
ESCAP adding that about 12% has been incinerated, while 79% has accumulated in
landfills, dumps, or the natural environment as plastic waste, clogging drains,
endangering marine life, and causing health concerns to communities.
“Our relationship with plastic is short term focused. The
plastic produced is designed to be single-use. We use it once and then discard
it,” noted ESCAP that serves as the United Nations’ regional hub promoting
cooperation among countries to achieve inclusive and sustainable
development.
With 53 Member States and nine associate members, ESCAP is
largest regional intergovernmental platform, shedding insight into the evolving
economic, social and environmental dynamics of the region.
It quoted a recent research by Plastics Europe to state that
the world now produces around 359 million tons of plastic annually, with the
global market valued at USD 568.9 billion in 2019 and projected to reach almost
USD 1 trillion by 2035. The Asia-Pacific region produces nearly half this
plastic and consumes 38% of it.