Tackling microplastic pollution a top priority: Romina Khurshid

Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change, Romina Khurshid Alam has stated tackling microplastic pollution is a top priority for the government to safeguard public health and the environment.
She said managing plastics throughout their product life cycle and reducing plastic use while transitioning to a more sustainable plastic economy is vital to reducing microplastic accumulation in the environment.
Citing a recent study, Romina Khurshid noted microplastics are a growing global environmental and public health concern, with Southeast Asian countries having the highest per capita consumption of microplastics globally.
She suggested human exposure to microplastics could be significantly reduced by removing aquatic plastic debris through improved water management and replacing used polyolefin plastics with highly biodegradable alternatives, especially in packaging materials like beverages.
She emphasized government is committed to implementing a plastic-free vision, with all provincial governments working together to achieve this goal.
She stressed reducing plastic use, improving waste management, and transitioning to sustainable alternatives are essential steps to mitigate the harmful impacts of plastics on the environment, human health, and the economy.