Publications
RAPID ASSESSMENT ON PLASTIC WASTE GENERATION & MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON ST. MARTIN’S ISLAND
Saint Martin’s Island, the only coral-bearing island in Bangladesh, is experiencing acute environmental stress due to systemic inadequacies in waste management and the pervasive use of plastic-based products, which now represent the principal source of plastic pollution. This rapid assessment quantifies current waste generation, identifies infrastructural and regulatory gaps, and proposes data-driven, actionable interventions for sustainable waste governance.
Plastic Pollution Crisis:
Single-use plastics, largely driven by tourism and local inhabitants, are the primary contributors to single use plastic pollution, with waste generation hotspots identified in tourist areas concentrated with accommodation facilities, shops, restaurants and local households. While awareness campaigns have been implemented, sustainable waste disposal practices are yet to gain widespread acceptance among locals and tourists.