June 5 is marked by the United Nations as World Environment Day, a day being observed world wide since 1974 with a view to promote global awareness for the protection of our environment. However, this year’s theme of the day was “beat plastic pollution.” In his message, the U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres had urged all people to reject single-use plastic items, and warned that growing levels of plastic waste were becoming unmanageable, saying “every year, more than eight million tons end up in the oceans.” It is quite unfortunate that the plastic pollution has increasingly become a new threat than not only poses a great threat to environment but has been adversely affecting the marine life. Studies have shown chemicals associated with plastics in the bodies of whale sharks and fin whales. According to some environment experts, there will be more plastic bags than fish in seas and oceans by 2050. The plastic pollution has become a world problem. Over the past 50 years, global production and consumption of plastics have increased alarmingly. According to plastic pollution organization, an estimated 299 million tons of plastics were produced in 2013, representing a 4 percent increase over 2012, and confirming and upward trend over the past years. In 2008 plastic consumption worldwide has been estimated at 260 million tons, and, according to a 2012 report by Global Industry Analysts, plastic consumption is to reach 297.5 million tons by the end of 2015.
Likewise the plastic pollution in Pakistan is on the rise, according to a study revealed by WWF-Pakistan, 65 percent of garbage in Pakistan contains plastic. Plastic bags can be seen almost everywhere – from the market shelves to the walking grounds, freely lying on the streets and blocking the drainage systems. Unfortunately, there is no mechanism at government level to check this fast spreading menace that has wreaked havoc in natural environment besides posing serious health problems. Given it’s highly adverse impact on the environment there is dire need that the authorities concerned must wake up from deep slumber, realize their responsibilities and take necessary steps to control this surging menace in the country. To minimize the use and production of plastic bags, the government should introduce alternative mechanisms whereby plastic bags should be replaced with cloth and paper bags. Moreover, a strict action should be taken against the illegal plastic waste dumping and its manufacturing lest it turns into an unmanageable crisis.