A Roundtable Discussion on ‘Plastic Pollution And Waste Management In Marine Environment: Drivers, Impact And Solutions’

UNOPS Bangladesh hosted the 8th episode of "SDG Café," a monthly roundtable discussion series dedicated to addressing pressing development challenges and co-creating innovative solutions. As part of UNOPS’s commitment to getting Agenda 2030 back on track, this episode places the spotlight on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 12 & 14). 

This roundtable took place on March 05, 2024 with the theme, ‘Plastic Pollution And Waste Management In the Marine Environment: Drivers, Impact And Solutions’. Plastic pollution remains a global threat, with South Asia being the second-largest contributor to global plastic waste. Bangladesh, ranking sixth in the world for plastic and polythene pollution in its water bodies, faces critical environmental challenges. 

The roundtable emphasized the urgent need to address this issue to achieve Agenda 2030, particularly SDG 12 ("Responsible Consumption and Production") and SDG 14 ("Life Below Water"). Dr. Shahriar Hossain, Founder of ESDO (Eco-Social Development Organization), Member of the UNEP scientific advisory committee on marine litter and micro-plastic pollution and Executive Vice-President of the World Alliance For Mercury-Free Dentistry, as the keynote speaker for the round-table discussion, brought decades of plastics experience to the discussion, highlighting the drivers, impact, and solutions to plastic waste management in Bangladesh. 

“The recent statistics underscore the severity of the plastic pollution crisis in Bangladesh. Such as, The Bay of Bengal would receive five times more plastics in 2025 than in 2010. Through collective action and collaboration, we can address the root causes, reduce plastic leakage, and contribute to achieving SDG 12 and 14. It is crucial to engage all stakeholders to ensure a sustainable and plastic-free future.” 

The Country Manager of UNOPS in Bangladesh, Sudhir Muralidharan acknowledged the gravity of the situation and the crucial need for collaborative efforts. We understand the threats posed by plastic pollution not only to our environment but also to food safety, human health, coastal tourism, and its role in exacerbating climate change. He further highlighted that, "In the face of the escalating crisis of plastic pollution in globally , where South Asia contributes a staggering 334 million metric tons of solid waste annually, with 70 to 80% of this waste, including 12% plastic, finding its way into our oceans, urgent action is unavoidable. Bangladesh, ranking sixth globally in plastic and polythene pollution through its rivers and canals, faces significant challenges that demand immediate attention. The objectives of our session are clear - to identify the challenges and vulnerabilities specific to Bangladesh in plastic pollution and waste management in rivers and seas, and to engage in meaningful discussions that address the multifaceted impacts on our society and environment. Together, we aim to substantially reduce waste generation, protect our precious marine ecosystems, and accelerate progress toward a more sustainable and resilient future for Bangladesh and the world." 

Charles Callanan, Director of UNOPS South Asia Multi-country Office, emphasized the urgency of addressing plastic pollution in the region. He mentioned, “Recent statistics reveal an alarming scale of environmental degradation. With over 8 million tons of plastic entering oceans annually, collaborative efforts like SDG Café are crucial. A comprehensive circular economy framework, specifically designed for plastics and spanning multiple sectors, is urgently needed. This framework must address the root causes of plastic pollution directly and collaboratively with industry stakeholders to forge sustainable supply chains. UNOPS remains committed to fostering regional cooperation, pooling resources, and implementing impactful waste management strategies aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The need for swift action is evident. In this context, UNOPS’s support to the South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme (SACEP) is just one example. We work closely with SACEP supporting their initiation and monitoring of block grants across South Asian Countries to co-create innovative plastic waste management technologies.” 

The roundtable discussion aimed to contribute to improved environmental consciousness and community resilience in the affected areas, promoting decreased plastic waste generation and improved methods of sustainable plastic waste management. 

This SDG Cafe brought together key stakeholders in Bangladesh, including government officials, international organizations, and development partners, such as the Environment Wing Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change(MoEFCC), Department of Disaster Management (DDM), Asian Development Bank (ADB), Worldvision, BRAC, Embassies, UN agencies, Academicians etc. Through constructive interaction, they advised and suggested innovative approaches and recommendations to strengthen Bangladesh's capacity for managing and reducing the scourge of plastics waste. 

 For media inquiries, please contact: Musfika Sultana Communications Focal; musfikaS@unops.org