Undisciplined disposing of plastic waste can pollute freshwater sources and reduce water quality, said Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing at the ceremony to mark the World Environment Day 2023 at the Myanmar International Convention Centre-II in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning.
Speaking of the accasion, the Senior General said that in accord with this year’s theme: Solutions to Plastic Pollution, all countries need to solve subsequent problems of plastic pollution and initiate a circular economy which can minimize the environmental impacts and volume of waste. Undisciplined disposal of plastic waste can pollute freshwater sources and reduce water quality. Plastic waste then changes into microplastic.
Plastics cause pollution in the atmosphere, ground and water of the natural environment and pose danger to animals from both land and water areas throughout the period starting from the manufacturing process to the disposing one. Generally, more than 50,000 plastic particles per year flow into the body of each person across the world, according to the UN Environment Program.
Rivers and creeks carrying plastic waste flow into the sea to cause ocean pollution and marine debris. According to the surveys, some 199 million tonnes of plastic can be seen in the oceans. If humans do not change plastic manufacturing, use and disposal systems, the inflow volume of plastic waste into the marine ecosystem will reach 19-23 million tonnes per year, and it will triple in 2040, according to the UNEP.
The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022 released by the Food and Agriculture Organization-FAO mentioned that the volume of water creatures and water resources declined due to extreme capturing of water creatures, water pollution and weak management. Plastic waste from discarded, lost and unused fishing nets in the oceans become a global challenge.
Myanmar participated in the Bangkok Declaration on Combating Marine Debris in the ASEAN Region and the ASEAN Framework and cooperates with ASEAN countries in implementing the ASEAN Regional Action Plan for Combating Marine Debris in the ASEAN Member States (2021-2025).
Myanmar adopted six goals for the National Waste Management Strategy and Master Plan for Myanmar (2018-2030), focusing on solving the problems of plastic pollution. Being a member of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, Myanmar conducts the import and export of plastic wastes under the Environmentally Sound Management.
The Senior General stressed the need to reduce the use of waste including plastic waste causing environmental pollution as much as possible and encourage the development of domestic MSME businesses which recycle plastic waste. Moreover, an emphasis must be placed on restricting the import of waste from foreign countries. Relevant organizations at home carrying out waste management have to improve the systematically separate disposal system and separate waste collection system.
The message of the UN Secretary-General to the 2023 World Environment Day and the message of the UNEP were presented.
The Senior General presented the good environmental management town award to Zabuthiri Township, the good environmental management village award to Maye Ohnbinsu Village of Mawlamyinekyun Township of Ayeyawady Region, the good environmental management factory award to Global Earth Seafood Processing Plant and Cold Storage Facility Global Earth AGRO and AQUA Industry Public Company Limited through officials.
SAC Joint Secretary Lt-Gen Ye Win Oo awarded prize-winning schools in the national clean and green school award (high school level), SAC Member Deputy Prime Minister Union Minister General Mya Tun Oo to those from the primary school level, SAC Member Lt-Gen Moe Myint Tun to winners in the World Environment Day commemorative open article contest and SAC Member Union minister Lt-Gen Soe Htut to those from the open essay contest respectively.
The Senior General visited the booths to mark the 2023 World Environment Day. —MNA/TTA
