KARACHI:
Plastic waste has become an everyday sight in our neighbourhoods. Shopping bags and food packaging are carelessly discarded, often finding their way into drains and empty plots. During heavy rains, blocked drainage systems remind us of the cost of this negligence. Although governments have announced restrictions on single-use plastics, enforcement remains weak. At the same time, many people continue to treat public spaces as dumping grounds. Lasting change will require both stronger regulation and greater public responsibility.
Municipal authorities should improve waste collection and invest in recycling facilities. Schools should also encourage children to adopt environmentally responsible habits from an early age. Small changes in daily behaviour can reduce the amount of plastic entering the environment. Protecting our surroundings begins with the choices each of us makes every day.
Hina Siddiqui
Karachi
