Plastic Pollution has emerged as a major threat which is affecting unfavourably the whole earth, including wildlife, wildlife habitat, aquatic life as well as human.
Every year, more than 400 million tonnes of plastics are produced worldwide. 5.25 trillion macro and micro pieces of plastic in our ocean and 46,000 pieces in every square mile of ocean, weighing up to 269,000 tonnes. Every day around 8 million pieces of plastic makes their way into our oceans. Miserably, by 2050, there will be more plastic than fish in the sea.
Even in our country, manufacturing plastic products has been growing as an industry over the last 45 years and currently encompasses about 400 companies. According to the CEA (Central Environment Agency) statistics, Sri Lanka annually imports about 500,000 metric tonnes of raw plastics and around 70% is only for daily usage. As a result of that, Sri Lanka has ranked as the 5th largest plastic polluter in the world. We waste more than 5 million kg of plastic per day!
To emphasize, plastic pollution is an enormous issue but it is not too late to fix it. Hence let’s gather up and help to reduce plastic waste. Helping save to planet is creating a better environment to live for not only wildlife but also future generations of ours.
– Ms. R.R. Venuri Senadheera –