This month marks the celebration of World Earth Day under the theme “Planet vs. Plastics.”

Human activities, notably industrialization, urbanization, fossil fuel combustion, and various forms of pollution, pose significant threats to the environment. These actions involve the production or use of materials and wastes detrimental to nature.

Non-biodegradable substances like electronic waste and plastics often end up in water bodies, endangering both terrestrial and aquatic life while causing drainage blockages, leading to flooding and sanitation issues.

Addressing the challenges posed by plastics and electronic waste alone could yield substantial positive impacts on the planet. It aligns with multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including clean water and sanitation (SDG 6), climate change mitigation (SDG 13), biodiversity preservation (SDG 14 & 15), sustainable cities (SDG 8), and responsible consumption and production (SDG 12).

Managing plastic utilization and production involves several approaches, including adhering to the principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle, implementing carbon credits to minimize production, adopting eco-friendly alternatives, imposing levies to discourage usage, enacting stringent regulations with penalties for non-compliance, and adopting supply chain-based solutions like return and refurbishment policies. Stakeholders, including individuals, communities, businesses, financial institutions, and governments, play crucial roles in managing plastic production, use, and disposal. They should engage in responsible consumption and disposal practices, collaborate on sustainable production methods, integrate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into business models, provide financial support for sustainability initiatives, and promote green financing mechanisms and disclosure requirements in financial markets.

Written by Stella Wakwoma

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