Plastic tsunami: Bangladesh’s maritime ecosystem under siege

The production of plastics has experienced significant growth, increasing by around 230 times to reach 460 million tons in 2019, and this growth has been particularly notable in the last two decades, during which global plastic output has doubled (Ritchie, Samborska, and Roser 2023). In addition, (Jambeck et al. 2015) estimated that a total of 275 million metric tons of plastic garbage were produced in 192 coastal nations in 2010; out of this, between 4.8 and 12.7 million metric tons ended up in the oceans. Annually, around one to two million metric tons of plastic infiltrates our oceans, causing detrimental impacts on species and ecosystems (Ritchie, Samborska, and Roser 2023). According to recent inspections, if prompt and radical measures are not taken, enormous quantities of plastic garbage will persistently affect the ocean, freshwater, and terrestrial ecosystems (Borrelle et al. 2020).

Bangladesh encompasses a variety of aquatic environments, containing rivers, ponds, ditches, lakes, beels/haors/baors (saucer-shaped water bodies that expand during the monsoon season and retract during winter), floodplains, canals, estuaries, coastal water bodies, and marine systems (Chowdhury et al. 2021). Bangladesh currently holds the sixth position globally regarding the amount of plastic and polythene pollution that enters the sea via rivers and canals (Esha 2023). This country has encountered an immense environmental catastrophe, which is not solely driven by natural calamities or climate change, but rather by the pervasive proliferation of plastic pollution. The country’s maritime ecology has been severely impacted by the “Plastic Tsunami” which has had devastating effects. This poses a substantial danger to marine life and the livelihoods of millions who rely on the oceans for sustenance. Bangladesh, with its extensive coastline along the Bay of Bengal, has long been revered for its rich marine biodiversity. Nevertheless, the widespread and thoughtless utilization and disposal of plastic have transformed the once unspoiled waters into the graveyard for marine life. The expansion of the plastics business in Bangladesh has enormously affected other crucial sectors of the economy, prompting the government to prioritize this industry extensively. Pollution primarily stems from terrestrial origins, such as manufacturing byproducts and contaminants, solid waste, sewage disposal, and insufficient sanitary facilities (Hasan, Shahriar, and Jim 2019). Also caused by factors such as high population density in coastal areas, urbanization, growing household garbage, inadequate waste treatment facilities, numerous tiny companies, and relocation of industrial activities (UNEP 2006). The indiscriminate disposal of plastic packets, containers, and bottles of water and soft drinks is a significant cause of plastic pollution in rivers and aquatic bodies. Nearly 80% of the plastics in the ocean originate from sources from land (A et al. 2020). The annual plastic marine trash inflow from coastal areas of Bangladesh ranged from 0.12 to 0.31 million metric tons (Jambeck et al. 2015). The remaining 20% comprises waste from ships/boats caused by recreational pursuits, litter discharge, fishing nets, and other sources (Mattsson, Hansson, and Cedervall 2015).

There is a lack of waste management infrastructure, a dedicated recycling facility, insufficient community education, and a growing prevalence of single-use food packaging. A survey reveals that around 89% of plastic debris in the coastal regions of Bangladesh is improperly handled (Jambeck et al. 2015). In Bangladesh, the daily production of plastic waste surpasses the monthly production of plastic waste in certain countries. An individual in the United States consumes an average of 0.35 kg of plastic daily. At the same time, pleasantly, the quantity in Bangladesh is even lower, approximately 0.03 kg, but the United States only mismanages 1% of plastic garbage, while Bangladesh mismanages around 3% (Esha 2023). Despite the implementation of plastic bag bans and restrictions on the production of ultra-thin plastic bags in numerous countries, it has been observed that rapidly developing countries continue to release significant amounts of plastic waste into the ocean. Approximately 40% of plastics are being used globally as packaging materials (Alojaly and Benyounis 2022). The primary factor driving the use of polythene bags among consumers (42%) was their affordability, while the primary cause for the extensive adoption of plastic items among retailers (31%) was the absence of alternative materials (Browne et al. 2008). Bangladesh implemented the pioneering measure of prohibiting the use of plastic bags. In 2002, Bangladesh established stringent regulations in the form of a ban on plastic (Chowdhury et al. 2021). Although prohibited by law, poly bags have managed to permeate various types of retail establishments in the country, from supermarkets to street vendors. Plastic bags are still being traded even though the government has restricted their usage for twenty-two years. The failure of the policy is primarily attributed to the absence of affordable alternatives. Unrestrained utilization of various forms of plastic might result in significant catastrophes.

The municipal corporation has been persistently discharging municipal and domestic wastes, as well as discharges from small industries on the banks of the River Bakkhali daily for several years (Majed and Islam 2022). Plastic garbage obstructs drainage systems, resulting in flooding and water logging. Environmentalists and urban planners held plastic bags responsible for increasing the incidence of fatal floods that occurred in 1989 and 1998. Additionally, there is the issue of transboundary trash made of plastic originating from Nepal, China, India, Myanmar, and Bhutan, which is transported via rivers and ultimately disposed of in the Bay of Bengal. That has resulted in major pollution of the ocean. International collaboration is crucial in addressing this worldwide catastrophe. Considering the transnational nature of plastic pollution, neighboring nations and the global community must cooperate in developing inclusive strategies and frameworks to diminish plastic consumption, encourage recycling, and impose stringent penalties on those who disregard environmental standards. Plastics are prevalent in the maritime environment. Marine animals are drawn to plastics due to their scent, shade, and the presence of algae that grows on them, and this algae serves as a significant food source for marine animals. Marine creatures have a greater propensity to take in nano plastics and microplastics. Plastics exhibit low degradability and require several years to degrade fully. Microplastics have infiltrated the human food chain despite marine organisms through plenty of marine-derived items (A et al., 2020). The existence of plastic in food chains constitutes a peril to human health.

Bangladesh has implemented a legal framework to protect and oversee the environment. The National Environmental Policy 2013 acknowledges the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) plan as an appropriate framework for managing trash, however, there needs to be more effective implementation (Chowdhury et al. 2021). A significant proportion of improperly handled plastic consists of single-use plastic. It is worth noting that only 36% of this plastic is currently being recycled (Esha 2023). According to a 2019 survey, it was found that people in Bangladesh dispose of around 87,000 tons of single-use plastics annually. Consumer products account for almost 96% of this garbage, with nonrecyclable sachets making up 33% (Siddique et al. 2022). By reusing plastic, we can mitigate the need to produce new plastic. The government of Bangladesh implemented a prohibition on single-use plastics, encompassing plastic bags, straws, and cutlery, in 2019 (Islam 2023). As an awareness, The Global Alliance for Incineration Alternative (GAIA) designated January 6th as a day in Bangladesh when single-use plastic is banned. Efficient recycling can be facilitated by segregating waste at the garbage collection point. Urban areas necessitate a systematic approach to waste management that encompasses planning and integration, rather than simply collecting rubbish and disposing of it in landfills. As an awareness, visitors to Cox’s Bazar will encounter a distinctive sculpture measuring 38 feet in height and 14 feet in width, which the artists claim to be the tallest in Asia (Aziz 2022). This sculpture, constructed from discarded plastic, visually represents the alarming extent of plastic pollution among visitors and residents visiting the world’s longest beach. So that visitors can mitigate the use of plastic and stop throwing plastic here and there. Several countries have implemented the "polluter pays" approach, which entails providing bags to shoppers only upon request and charging a fee for their use. Bangladesh ought to implement such a policy. The Jute Packaging Act 2010 advocated using jute packaging as a substitute for plastic packaging for six crucial commodities: paddy, rice, wheat, maize, fertilizer, and sugar. The government should be strict about using jute packaging as a substitute for plastic packaging. By implementing strategies such as minimizing our utilization of plastic products, adopting biodegradable materials, and actively recycling plastic waste by endorsing sustainable activities, we may effectively diminish the quantity of plastic garbage in our surroundings.

Patient and public involvement

Patients and/or the public were not involved in the design, or conduct, or reporting, or dissemination plans of this research.

Faria Islam Mim
Department of Sociology, Eden Mohila College, Dhaka-1205, Bangladesh
Md. Jahidul Islam
Department of Civil Engineering, Barishal Engineering College, Barishal-8202, Bangladesh
[email protected]
Md Shahriar Abdullah
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Lamar University, Beaumont, TX, USA

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Data availability statement

The article contains all the data necessary to support the results. Thus, no additional data sources are required.

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Funding

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.