TIB for enforcing law to prevent plastic pollution

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) today demanded for stronger implementation of law to resist illegal production, marketing and usage of plastic to prevent environment pollution.

In a press statement, the organisation placed an eight-point demand, which include - ensuring exemplary punishment for violating law, planning and implementing community based waste management system, taking initiatives in government and non-government sector to ensure recycling of plastic goods, inventing environment friendly alternatives of plastics, and practicing transparency in all climate fund-run activities.

Marking the World Environment Day, to be observed on June 5, TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said, Bangladesh is one of the most affected countries in the world due to climate change.

Though Bangladesh is the first country in the world to impose ban on using polythene in 2002, the country is not getting any benefit due to its poor implementation, he said.

Polythene are being used indiscriminately under the nose of the law enforcers and each year around three lakh tonnes of plastic waste are being dumped into water bodies and open places, he said.

The TIB executive director said stronger implementation of law is needed and exemplary punishment has to be ensured to prevent such pollution.

Dr Iftekharuzzaman also urged Bangladesh government to strengthen its diplomatic efforts to ensure the promised fund for the affected countries including Bangladesh due to climate change according to Paris Deal as well as expedite the process through transparency.

He also stressed on the need of increasing public participation in the funded programmes.

This year the theme of the World Environment day is "Beat Plastic Pollution: If you can't reuse it, refuse it".