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The global soft drink brand Coca-Cola has again become the top single use plastic polluter in the country for the fifth time in a row, with 20.78 per cent of the total waste collected under Brand Audit 2022.
Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO) conducted the Brand Audit 2022 and came up with the worrying findings on Monday at a virtual news conference in Dhaka.
ESDO conducted the survey in three different cities, including Dhaka, Khulna and Chittagong with the support of more than 250 volunteers.
Around 30,862 pieces of plastic waste were collected by the volunteers in three cities with a weight of 166.1877 kg. After collection, the wastes were sorted and the brands were recorded in the data cards, said the organisation.
The audit record identified major 38 local and 14 international companies producing near about 220 product brands in total. The study identified specific brands and their corresponding manufacturers whose items were found in the most abundant amounts.
The rest of the collected wastes were named for Pepsico (15.60 per cent), Pran-RFL group (9.63 per cent) followed by Unilever (6.5 per cent), Partex Group (5.08 per cent), Akij Group (3.63 per cent), Nestle (5.1 per cent), Bombay Sweets limited (3.07 per cent), and other multinational and local corporations.
The brands include – Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Mum, Pran, Zaa and Zee, Alooz, Matador Orbit, Bashundhara tissue (packet), Fresh Tissue (packet), Lexus, Center Fruit, Fruit Fun, Pulse, Ruchi, Sunsilk, Center Fruit, Mum, Kinley, etc.
The total list is dominated mainly by The Coca-Cola Company, Pran-RFL Group, PepsiCo, Partex Group, Akij Food & Beverage Limited and Unilever, according to ESDO.
Former Secretary and ESDO Chairperson Syed Marghub Murshed chaired the event and alleged that these companies have flooded our market with non-recyclable single-use items and multi-layer tiny sachets or packets.
“Single-use plastic has disastrous consequences not only for the environment but also for human health. Corporations must take responsibility for the plastic pollution they are causing,” he added.
Senior Technical Advisor of ESDO and former chairman of the department of chemistry at Jahangirnagar University said that the “government is already working on the plastic crisis seriously and through the upcoming plastic treaty; we are hoping to find a solution for such dangerous pollution.”
ESDO’s Executive Director, Siddika Sultana stated that over 4,000 chemicals have been identified that are potentially present in plastic packaging or used during its manufacture. At least 148 of these chemicals have been identified as hazardous to human health and/or the environment.
“And, these can cause endocrine disruption, which can lead to cancer, birth abnormalities, immune system disorders, and developmental problems in children. She requested the Government to urgently highlight this point,” she added.
Secretary General of ESDO, Shahriar Hossain said Bangladesh is the first country to ban polythene bags.
“So, of course, we don’t want to stay behind in case of any decision regarding the treaty. We have to start preparing right now on how to completely ban single-use plastic from our country and our lives,” he demanded.
The Brand Audit tool is designed by Break Free from Plastic (BFFP) global movement.