WWF-Pakistan has issued a strong call for a nationwide ban on single-use plastic production and consumption, citing the escalating environmental and public health dangers associated with plastic pollution, particularly during the ongoing monsoon season.
The plea comes as Pakistan grapples with severe flooding that has claimed more than 280 lives and caused widespread economic and ecological damage.
Plastics exacerbate monsoon devastation
In a statement issued during the global “Plastic-Free July” campaign, WWF-Pakistan highlighted that floating plastic waste, compounded by inadequate waste management, has worsened the flooding situation in major urban centers across the country.
“Widespread monsoon rains followed by flooding in parts of Pakistan have led to the deaths of over 280 people and caused serious damage to the country’s economy, infrastructure, and critical ecosystems. The floating plastics and poor waste management have exacerbated the flooding situation in major cities across [the] country,” the organization stated in its press release.
Floating plastics are choking drainage systems, leading to prolonged waterlogging that damages roads, bridges, buildings, and other infrastructure. More alarmingly, the buildup of plastic waste increases the risk of waterborne diseases in areas with fragile sanitation systems.
What are Single-Use Plastics?
Single-use plastics are disposable plastic items designed to be used once and then discarded. These include everyday products like plastic bags, straws, cutlery, bottles, packaging, and food containers.
Due to their short lifespan and non-biodegradable nature, single-use plastics are a major contributor to environmental pollution, often ending up in landfills, waterways, and oceans, where they persist for hundreds of years and harm ecosystems and wildlife.
Global crisis with local consequences
Plastic waste is now recognized as one of the most pressing environmental challenges globally. According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), global plastic production nearly doubled from 234 million tonnes in 2000 to 460 million tonnes in 2019. WWF-Pakistan warns that if this trajectory continues, the repercussions will be devastating—not only for health and biodiversity but also in accelerating climate change.
Hammad Naqi Khan, Director General of WWF-Pakistan, emphasized the urgency of the crisis. “Plastics threaten biodiversity and create serious health hazards. They break down into microplastics and contaminate the freshwater resources, and affect the soil fertility,” he said.
Khan added that plastic production is a significant contributor to carbon emissions, and much of the plastic waste originating in Pakistan’s upper riparian areas ends up in the Indus River, eventually reaching the Arabian Sea.
“This not only harms the freshwater ecosystem but also endangers coastal and marine biodiversity,” he said.
Hidden threat of Microplasticss: A Hidden Threat
The threat extends beyond visible plastic pollution. Microplastics, the tiny plastic particles resulting from the breakdown of larger debris, are increasingly being detected in the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink. Studies have even found microplastics in human organs, including the placenta of newborns.
WWF-Pakistan underscored that this microscopic form of pollution is pervasive and potentially irreversible if not urgently addressed.
Grassroots Solutions and Public Mobilization
To counter the crisis, WWF-Pakistan is working in collaboration with government agencies and civil society to run cleanup drives, advocacy campaigns, and beach restoration efforts along Pakistan’s coastlines.
In a bid to empower communities, particularly women, WWF-Pakistan has trained over 50 women in Karachi and Islamabad to repurpose hard-to-recycle multi-layered plastics (MLPs) into marketable products. This initiative not only helps manage waste but also creates livelihood opportunities.
Other efforts include:
- Identifying plastic leakage points along Karachi’s coastline through a comprehensive scoping study.
- Installing a litter boom at the Karachi fish harbor that has recovered more than 2,500 tons of waste.
- Launching a Plastic Bank Initiative, which includes installing Plastic Recovery Banks at five major Karachi universities, equipped with segregated waste bins and awareness materials.
WWF-Pakistan is urging the government to impose a complete ban on single-use plastic production and consumption and calling on citizens to adopt eco-friendly alternatives.
“We need concerted efforts and robust waste management,” Khan stressed, underlining that systemic change and individual responsibility must go hand in hand to mitigate this escalating crisis.