Plastic, a great invention, has significantly transformed our way of life, However, the extensive and pervasive use of plastic in our daily lives has escalated to the point where it is causing detrimental environmental issues. It's hard to imagine life without plastic because it's everywhere, making things convenient. But the issue is that using so much plastic, especially in the huge amounts we do now, isn't good for the planet. So, how did we end up using so much, and what can we do about it? That's the big question we need to figure out.
The Rise of Plastic: A Double-Edged Sword
The first plastic bottle designed for holding carbonated drinks was patented in 1973. It is very surprising and interesting that it didn’t happen that long ago when we think about very important milestones such an era of the Beatles, the introduction of color television, and even the age of rocketships. Now, these plastic bottles are everywhere, from backpacks to desks all around the world. It's a reminder of how quickly innovations can become a regular part of our daily lives. If we see in terms of Nepal, plastics were not so much common till the 90s. When came into existence, plastics as a product impacted the usage of eco-friendly materials. Plastics were considered as a cheap and easy commodity. The result of which increased the plastic usage in Nepal in a heavy way. The once pristine Bagmati, now bears the burden of bottles and plastics, an unforeseen turn of events that showcases the drastic impact of this polymer wave in the country. As per ICIMOD, Nepal produces 2.7 tons of plastic waste every day, creating pollution in the streets, rivers, forests, and even in the might Himalayas. The plastic waste from Nepal’s river basins travels through the Terai region and reaches the Ganges in India, ultimately flowing into the Bay of Bengal. This cross-border plastic flow is causing disruptions to the global ocean ecology as well.
Unpacking Our Plastic Predicament
What plastic does offer is the range of physical properties such as strength, heat resistance or electrical conductivity by its polymers. The main problem is that the nature of synthetic polymers that is not readily recognized by the bacteria responsible for decomposing things. Unless we, as a society, cut down on our plastic use and find better ways to handle the waste we create, there's a serious risk of our Earth and oceans transforming into a plastic swamp. Unfortunately, we haven't been doing a great job of facing up to this challenge so far. It's a problem that urgently needs our attention and action. Understanding how we arrived at this juncture is crucial for envisioning a sustainable path forward. The convenience of single-use plastics, coupled with a lack of widespread awareness about their long-term consequences, contributed to a culture of disposability. As a result, our reliance on plastic reached unprecedented levels, and the consequences are now impossible to ignore.
Charting a Course for Change: What Can Be Done?
The urgency of our plastic predicament demands proactive and decisive action. Embracing sustainable alternatives, reducing single-use plastic consumption, and advocating for responsible waste management practices are critical steps. There are various global commitments that have now come into action that paves a way towards the sustainable use of plastics. Uniting 1,000 organisations, the New Plastics Economy has been exploring how to create a circular economy for plastics. Initiated by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation in the UK, it is based on three principles: that we should eliminate the plastics we don’t need; innovate so that the plastics we do produce are reusable, recyclable or compostable; and that all plastic items should circulate within the economy. In October 2018, the New Plastics Economy and the UN Environment Programme launched the Global Commitment, designed to realize this vision by uniting governments, NGOs, universities, industry associations, and investors around a common cause. Also, the European Union’s Green Deal is the EU’s main new growth strategy to transition the EU economy to a sustainable economic model. Presented in December 2019, the overarching objective of the EU Green Deal is for the EU to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, resulting in a cleaner environment, more affordable energy, smarter transport, new jobs and an overall better quality of life. In Nepal, since 1997 there has also been a lot of legislative formulations to combat plastic pollution. In May 2022, the government of Nepal unveiled a comprehensive Action Plan aimed at prohibiting the use of plastic bags. The plan delineated four key strategies, including measures to restrict the import of plastic bags or related products with a thickness less than 40 microns. Additionally, it proposed a ban on the import of single-use plastic bags thinner than 40 microns. To support businesses in adopting more sustainable practices, the government planned to provide grants for the procurement of machinery capable of producing plastic bags with a thickness exceeding 40 microns, as well as eco-friendly substitute bags. Furthermore, a pivotal aspect of the strategy involved encouraging individuals to embrace the use of their own eco-friendly bags during shopping activities.
Fostering a cultural shift towards a circular economy – where plastics are designed for reuse and recycling – can play a pivotal role in mitigating the environmental impact of our plastic dependence.Educating communities, businesses, and policymakers about the implications of our plastic consumption is paramount. By cultivating awareness and championing innovative solutions, we can collectively steer towards a future where the benefits of plastic are harnessed without compromising the health of our planet. In the face of this complex challenge, a multifaceted approach is essential. As we grapple with the consequences of our plastic-laden past, there is an opportunity to reshape our relationship with this versatile material and forge a more sustainable future for generations to come.
