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Bangladesh Plastic Consumption Trend: Current Scenario
Summary
A review of Bangladesh's plastic consumption trends found a 16.2% rise in per capita plastic use from 2005–2014, with 87,000 tons of single-use plastics discarded annually, worsened by COVID-19 PPE waste and climate-induced flooding that disperses plastic debris across the landscape. Without improved recycling and circular economy infrastructure, projected increases in flooding frequency under future climate scenarios will accelerate microplastic formation and dispersal in a country already facing severe environmental pressures.
Between 2005 and 2014, per capita plastic usage increased by approximately 25% worldwide whereas in Bangladesh, it increased by 16.2%. A 2019 survey found that annually, Bangladeshis disposed of 87,000 tons of single-use plastics, approximately 96% of which originates from food and personal care products packaging. Additionally, during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the widespread usage of mostly non-biodegradable single-use plastics in personal protective equipment resulted in their accumulation in landfills and the surrounding environment. In addition, in recent years, climate-induced flooding events in the country exacerbated macro- and microplastic pollution stemming from the mismanaged plastic waste from relief supplies packaging materials. Moreover, projected rainfall scenario for 2040 and 2060 under RCP 4.5 scenario suggest exacerbated risks of flooding, which will likely impact plastic pollution. Through a combination of a systematic literature review and field, the present study assesses the plastic waste management strategies used in Bangladesh, identifies research gaps and offers insight into plastic recycling in the nation, with a particular emphasis on Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh. The findings indicate that integrating plastic recycling systems within a circular economy is anticipated to lower greenhouse gas emissions and environmental pollution while promoting several UN Sustainable Development Goals.