The UN report warns that 85% of marine waste is plastic. By 2040, that number will almost triple. This equates to 23 to 37 million metric tons of waste per year in the ocean. That means there will be about 50 kilograms of plastic per meter in the coastal area. Studies also show that it has serious implications for tourism, fisheries, aquaculture and the global economy in general. The environmental impact of plastics is huge. A large section of the world is already suffering from its ill effects. It is a common sight that many of the journeys in search of a solution fail.
There are various preventive measures being taken against plastics in the world. Ajman Emirate is also preparing a new defense against plastic bags for the benefit of the public. As part of this, it plans to ban plastic bags in Ajman from next year. Authorities are working to find a better alternative. For this, several feasibility studies are being carried out under the guidance of experts.
The Plastic Bag Free Day is held on May 16 every year under the auspices of the Ajman Municipality Planning Department. On that day, all major centers in Ajman were banned from using plastic bags. This campaign is a huge success with the cooperation of people and organizations. The campaign is estimated to have achieved 62 percent success this year. The municipality is also planning to make people aware of the dangers posed by disposable plastics.
The decision to impose the ban comes in the wake of growing plastic waste disposal as an environmental and health issue. The Carry Bag Products Testing Lab is the first of its kind in the UAE to be set up in Ajman. In this lab, the officials of the Municipal Planning Department will check whether the carry bags, which are the daily necessities of the people, are as prescribed. The main reason why the municipality is taking strong action in this regard is due to the fact that the inspection revealed that plastic bags are being manufactured using products that are harmful to the environment.