CPOY

CPOY 79 General News

Single photographs of political, social, or cultural events for which advance planning was possible. Examples: demonstrations, staged promotional or political events and other daily news.

Caption
Slide 1 of 6
Gold: Walk Through The River Of Plastics
August 23, 2023

The Buriganga River, once celebrated as the lifeblood of Dhaka, is now a testament to environmental degradation, teetering on the brink of ecological collapse due to rampant plastic pollution. This vital waterway, historically a source of sustenance and prosperity, is now among the most polluted rivers globally, suffering from severe plastic mismanagement in Bangladesh. Daily, millions of Dhaka's residents navigate makeshift plastic bridges spanning the Buriganga, a stark reminder of the pollution crisis. The city of Dhaka generates approximately 4,500 tons of solid waste each day, with a significant portion released into the Buriganga. Annually, nearly one million metric tons of non-biodegradable waste end up in the river. Specifically, around 646 tons of plastic waste are collected daily from the Buriganga, accounting for 10 percent of the total waste generated in Bangladesh. Unfortunately, only 37.2 percent of this plastic waste is recycled. A separate study highlights the scale of single-use plastic waste, revealing that 87,000 tonnes of items such as plastic bags, bottles, cups, plates, and straws are discarded annually in Bangladesh. Despite governmental pledges to address plastic pollution, its pervasive presence continues to endanger human and animal health. The situation demands a comprehensive and sustainable approach to waste management, emphasizing recycling, reduction of single-use plastics, and community engagement.

Location
Related
    3e9c52a0-fc9e-4836-b60c-f23ff2995f6c
    ca0ced37-0c20-49ac-8bbf-0d1fec1c326a
    7047efe7-cdd5-4e28-b520-d586fb1f5608
    7e75e8ee-46b5-4c8a-aeac-7f2b08aec002
    f15a4989-74d8-4321-b0c3-bcef4aea3a67
    dc88fa3c-b7ca-4166-a4ec-b8f5a019cba7
    See more at cpoy.org