Shahid Joy, Jashore Correspondent
Although the use of ‘plastic tea cups’ to prevent Covid-19 infection has increased in popularity, environmentalists fear environmental pollution as they are thrown away after use. The use of plastic tea cups has increased in the Benapole border area of Sharsha upazila of Jashore district due to the coronavirus epidemic.
Users do not even know how much environmental pollution is caused by these plastic cups and how healthy its use is. From the beginning of coronavirus pandemic, people in rural areas including Sharsha, Benapole, Navaran and Bagachara Bazar started using plastic tea cups to prevent infection. These plastic products are now being used in various tea shops. Once used, these cups are being discarded in side of ponds, ditches, drains or on the side of the road. As a result, the environment is getting polluted.
Traders are saying that the customers are not drinking tea without these plastic cups. They are being forced to serve tea in these cups despite the extra cost. However, they have to throw it here and there as there is no proper place to throw it. Zulfiqar Ali, a tea shop owner in Sharsha Upazila, said, “I used to sell tea in glass cups. When the coronovirus started, officials of the administration told us to sell tea on glass cups it. Since then I have been selling tea in plastic cups. ”
Khalilur Rahman of Navaron said, even though my tongue gets burnt, I drink tea in a plastic cup for fear of coronavirus. A clay cup is better than that. That is what happens in India.
Shah Jamal, a tea shopkeeper in the Benapole bus terminal area, said that the customers are throwing cups here and there after drinking tea.
Meanwhile, Rafiqul Islam Buli, Professor of Geography and Environment at Navaron Fazilatunnesa Women’s College, said that the use of such plastic cups is polluting the environment. If proper waste management is not done, it will have a serious impact on the accumulated environment. In this case, it is necessary to take action of Union Parishad, Municipality and Market Committee. If there are administrative instructions for dumping in a specific place, there will be no difficulty in use.
In this regard, Upazila Nirbahi Officer Pulak Kumar Mandal said, although the use of one time plastic cup is beneficial in preventing coronavirus infection, it can have a negative impact due to improper management.
In this case, we are continuing the campaign in different places. At the same time, we are conducting campaigns at different times to prevent environmental pollution.
According to a study by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States, it takes 20 years for bags used to carry groceries to blend in with nature. Plastic cups used for tea, coffee, juice or soft drinks last up to 50 years. And diapers and plastic bottles do not rot for 450 years.
