Ever since humans dominated the world and all other living things, they have been inventing various things for the convenience of their generation, without considering the harm these inventions cause to nature. One of the most harmful inventions is plastic, which has devastating consequences. Plastic is the most hazardous product of human innovation, posing a significant threat to the planet’s well-being.
According to the UNDP, 3.3 million tons of plastic waste is produced annually in Pakistan. We are completely reliant on plastic in our daily lives. It has even become a part of our bodies, causing cancer through the food chain. Plastic management is lacking due to Government inaction.
Let’s dive into the statistics of plastic pollution
- 8 million pieces of plastic pollution make their way into the ocean every day. (OSPAR, 2009)
- 12 million tonnes of plastic is dumped into the ocean every year (Eunomia, 2016)
- 80% of all studied marine debris is plastic. (IUCN, 2020)
- 5.25 trillion macro and microplastics may now be floating in the open ocean, weighing up to 269,000 tonnes. (Eriksen, 2014)
- Every year, 100,000 marine mammals and turtles and 1 million sea birds are killed by marine plastic pollution. (UK Government, 2018)
While Paper bags are an excellent eco-friendly alternative to plastic bags, offering numerous benefits. They are completely biodegradable, recyclable, and reusable, causing no harm to the environment. Moreover, they are just as strong and functional as plastic bags.
To raise awareness about plastic pollution and promote sustainable options, World Plastic Bag Day is observed annually on July 12, encouraging individuals to switch to paper bags and other alternatives.
The sustainability of bags depends on various factors, making it challenging to determine which type is the most eco-friendly. Reusable and paper bags have significant environmental costs associated with their production, while plastic bags have devastating consequences after use. However, one thing is clear: the most sustainable bag is the one we already possess. Regardless of the material, reusing bags as many times as possible significantly reduces their environmental impact. The key to sustainability lies in maximizing bag reuse and responsible disposal.
We believe that every individual can play a vital role in this matter. If the government is not taking it seriously, we must take the initiative to drive change. The government alone cannot bring about change without public support. Therefore, let us promise to avoid plastic bags starting today and make a conscious effort to use paper bags in our daily tasks, such as buying groceries and milk from the market. Paper bags are in no way inferior to plastic bags in terms of quality. We can easily find reputable plastic bag manufacturers in our surroundings. Let us take the first step towards change and inspire the world to do the same.
Written by: Muhammad Zubair