Pakistan is still lagging far behind in the region with regards to protecting marine life, environment and human health from the dangers of plastic bags. Marine life's very important role in echo system is in danger due to plastic garbage being thrown in the sea in huge quantities on daily basis. Plastic products are very harmful for marine life and a big number of turtles, fish, and sea birds have died in past many years due to marine pollution, said Syed Nofil Hussain Shah, who runs an NGO Be-Zubaan.
It may be noted that with 15-percent growth annually in production of plastic bags, the estimated use of plastic bags in the country by 2015 would be up to 112 billion. "Many regional countries like India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and China have been far more active than Pakistan as they have overcome this environmental challenge," added Nofil. At a time when developing countries have devised strategies against the use of plastic bags, he added, the same is burgeoning in Pakistan despite the fact that all relevant authorities have raised their voices against this issue that is severely endangering the fertility of the land and destroys maritime environment.
It is pertinent to mention that WPP bags are neither environment friendly nor biodegradable. Recycling of WPP bags is not possible as cancerous dioxins are released in the process. Moreover, the raw material for WPP (being polypropylene granules) is derived from oil which itself is becoming scarce.
In Pakistan more than 8,000 manufacturing units of plastic bags spread across the country mostly situated in Lahore, Karachi and Peshawar that continue to supply plastic bags to shopkeepers of various goods. "It is also very difficult to dispose this material anywhere or even to set on fire; it pollutes air and finds its way in the water reservoirs. Sewerage lines also get choked with plastic bags as those are non biodegradable contaminating the environment thus becoming the abode of ailments," he added.
Nofil said that paper bags are environment-friendly and if properly taken care of they can be reused over and over again. "Sack Kraft Paper is globally recognised as an environmentally friendly packaging material and is derived from sustainable forests," he added.
China has reportedly put a ban on the usage of plastic bags by imposing fine of around $1500 that discouraged its usage. Moreover, owing to strict Chinese limit on ultra-thin plastic bags significantly reduced bag-related pollution nation-wide during the past year. The country avoided the use of 40 billion bags, according to government estimates. Similarly, Bangladesh after the flood and devastation of drainage system due to plastic bags has placed restrictions on manufacturing and use of plastic bags.
Plastic bags pollute the earth in two major ways. Many plastic bags are thrown into landfills and there, they stay and contaminate earth for at least 1,000 years and leak toxins into the earth while degrading. This is known as photo-degrading. While the photo-degrade, they release the toxins into earth spoiling our precious fresh water reserves. Meanwhile, they release methane into the air and harm our ozone layer. Methane is the second most polluting substance causing global warming. Only carbon-dioxide pollutes more than the methane released from plastic bags.
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