ISLAMABAD: Environmental hazards of plastic are multifarious but often glossed over and the gap between policies and their implementation was too large.

This was highlighted by speakers at a seminar titled ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’ organised by the earth sciences department of Bahria University.

They said policies were ineffective and lacked implementation whereas plastic had detrimental effects on the human health that took a toll on millions of lives every year. Impact of plastic on aquatic life in oceans is an example of this. Pakistan is no exception to plastic pollution.

Speaking as a guest of honour, environmentalist Munir Ahmed said that Pakistan produced 3.9 million tonnes of plastic waste in 2020, over 65pc of which was mismanaged.

“As much as 18pc of municipal solid waste produced in Pakistan is plastics. Only 3pc of plastic used by the manufacturing industry in Pakistan is recycled material.

The presence of plastic bags is now ubiquitous. Starting from shops, plastic bags are seen flying in streets, floating on water bodies, tangled in trees, blocking sewerage networks and choking trachea of aquatic life in sea. Mass production, low cost and easy access have turned plastics into a major hazard.

“Pakistan’s single-use plastic consumption is rising by over 15pc a year despite all legislations by the federal and provincial governments. Pakistan is producing about four million tonnes of plastic waste a year while the already produced plastic waste can make a mountain double of the height of K2, the second highest mountain in the world. According to a survey report, Pakistan currently uses 55 billion plastic bags a year,” he said.

“Government institutions lack will and resources to implement policies in letter and spirit. First of all, our policies do not address single-use plastics that have increased immensely after the spread of Covid-19. Secondly, we do not realise the carcinogenic role of plastics that has increased health vulnerabilities. Civil society organisations and academia shall play their role in creating awareness among masses on the use of plastics, and also inform governments to take every possible measure for drastic cut on the supply-side,” he said.

Environmentalist Sana Tahir urged students to take the lead in using environment-friendly products, and help them in reaching out to the common people with a message of conservation. The university shall engage students in public awareness initiatives.

Former member of Capital Development Authority (CDA) Sanaullah Aman said charity begins at home.

“We need to focus on our habits and change the perceptions to conservation by individual efforts. Single-use plastic is easily available and commonly used because it is a free commodity. The government shall focus on curtailing the manufacturing and supply of products,” he suggested.

United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) technical expert Hammad Bashir said according to UNIDO, plastic production and use have grown exponentially since the 1950s, with around nine million people employed globally in polymer production and plastic processing industries.

“Presently, the world produces 430 million metric tonnes of plastic every year. Of these, two-thirds are short-lived products which become waste after single use. Plastic production is set to triple by 2060 if business continues as usual,” he said.

Published in Dawn, June 6th, 2023