The fight against plastic needs everyone on board

We welcome the initiative of Chattogram Zoo to offer free entry to visitors under 18 in exchange for 100 grammes of discarded plastic waste. Launched on September 1, the campaign allows children to save the regular Tk 70 entry fee while contributing to a cleaner environment. More than 400 young people have participated so far. According to one student, collecting plastic bottles from neighbourhood alleys and school grounds made him realise how much waste was scattered around the city. Such experiences can help children develop responsible waste disposal habits from an early age and inspire families and communities to keep their surroundings clean.This is not the first time a local authority has taken a civic approach to tackling plastic waste. In July 2023, Moulvibazar municipality introduced a plastic trading booth where residents could sell used bottles and polythene for Tk 50 per kilogramme. The initiative drew an encouraging response, with residents collecting sacks of plastic waste from streets and bushes. In 2024, the DNCC also launched an initiative to buy discarded items from residents as part of its efforts to tackle dengue.These examples show how small, practical incentives can turn discarded plastic into a resource while encouraging citizens to take responsibility for their surroundings. However, the real test is whether such initiatives can be sustained beyond the initial enthusiasm. The subsequent discontinuation of Moulvibazar municipality’s plastic trading booth highlights this challenge. Chattogram Zoo, however, has taken a necessary step in this regard by signing a one-year memorandum of understanding with Young Power in Social Action (YPSA), which will regularly collect, sort, and recycle the plastic gathered at the zoo. The authorities must ensure that the partnership produces measurable results and that a viable system remains in place in the long term.However, local collection drives and recycling schemes cannot, on their own, address the enormous threat posed by plastic pollution. Although polythene bags were banned in the country in 2002 and restrictions on other single-use plastics were introduced later, weak enforcement has allowed the problem to persist. The government must therefore enforce existing laws and restrictions more effectively, while encouraging businesses to reduce unnecessary plastic packaging and take greater responsibility for the waste their products generate. Polluters must also be held accountable. Innovative local solutions can help change behaviour, but without consistent enforcement and effective waste management by the government, plastic pollution will continue to threaten our environment.