Invent alternative to one-time use plastic, says minister
BSS, Dhaka
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin yesterday urged the universities to invent an alternative to one-time used plastic and polythene now being used widely causing serious health hazards and environmental problem.
The universities should carry out research to invent an alternative to one-time used plastic considering its consequence on environment and human body, he told a programme at the Dhaka University Curzon Hall.
Terming the plastic as an element of modern age, the minister said plastic wastes takes 450 years to decompose in landfills. So, it is urgent to make the plastic utilization process suitable for environment through increasing its recycling.
With Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr M Akhtaruzzaman in the chair, the programme also addressed, among others, by DU Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Samad, and Biology Faculty Dean Prof Dr M Imdadul Haq.
Shahab Uddin said plastic and polythene are responsible for water, air and soil pollution. Plastic also causes cancer and other deadly diseases in human body, he added.
He also urged the universities to conduct research on the animals which have already been extinct or on the verge of extinction due to environment pollution.
