Waste management, plastic pollution and Islamic responsibility – Al Hakam

Global Waste Management Crisis and its Impact on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Rapid global development, industrialisation, and population growth have led to a significant increase in waste generation, placing immense pressure on municipal infrastructure and environmental health. A stark disparity exists between developed nations, which are increasingly adopting advanced waste management technologies, and developing or conflict-affected regions that often resort to unsafe disposal practices like open burning. This gap presents a critical challenge to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Plastic waste has emerged as a primary environmental threat, undermining progress across multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The failure to manage this waste stream effectively impacts:

• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Inadequate waste collection and disposal services compromise the safety and sustainability of urban environments.
• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): The proliferation of single-use plastics highlights unsustainable production patterns and the urgent need for a circular economy.
• SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 15 (Life on Land): Mismanaged waste, particularly plastic, pollutes marine and terrestrial ecosystems.

Case Study: Myanmar’s Waste Management Challenges and SDG Implications

Overview of the Situation in Myanmar

Myanmar is confronting significant waste management challenges driven by rapid urbanisation and industrial growth. While major cities like Yangon and Mandalay have some municipal waste services, coverage in smaller towns and rural areas is severely limited. This leads to widespread open dumping and burning of waste.

Key obstacles to effective waste management include:

• Financial constraints limiting investment in infrastructure.
• Lack of modern waste treatment and recycling facilities.
• Weak public awareness regarding sustainable waste disposal practices.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

The situation in Myanmar directly hinders progress on several key SDGs. The reliance on open burning contributes to air pollution, posing severe health risks and conflicting with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). The absence of proper disposal systems threatens water sources, undermining SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). To align with the global goals, Myanmar must implement a comprehensive strategy that includes:

1. Developing robust national waste management systems.
2. Investing in modern recycling and composting infrastructure.
3. Launching public awareness campaigns to foster community participation.
4. Strengthening policies to reduce reliance on unsustainable disposal practices.

The Environmental and Health Impacts of Plastic Pollution

Threats to Ecosystems and Human Health

Plastic waste is a pervasive pollutant with devastating consequences for planetary health. Its impacts are directly linked to several SDGs:

• SDG 14 (Life Below Water): Plastics enter oceans through rivers and drainage systems, causing fatal harm to marine life.
• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): The combustion of plastic waste releases toxic compounds such as dioxins, furans, and mercury, which are hazardous to human and animal health.
• SDG 13 (Climate Action): The production and incineration of plastics are significant sources of greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change.

A Call for Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12)

The escalating plastic crisis underscores a global failure to achieve the targets of SDG 12. Addressing this requires a fundamental shift away from a linear “take-make-dispose” economic model towards circular systems that prioritize waste reduction, reuse, and recycling. This involves promoting sustainable product design, corporate responsibility, and conscious consumer behaviour.

An Ethical Framework for Environmental Stewardship

Principles from Islamic Teachings

Islamic teachings provide a strong ethical framework for environmental protection that aligns with the core principles of the SDGs. The Quranic injunctions to “create not disorder in the earth” (7:57) and to “eat and drink but exceed not the bounds” (7:32) serve as foundational principles for sustainable living. This guidance directly supports SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by advocating for moderation and condemning wastefulness.

Furthermore, the Prophetic tradition that “Cleanliness is half of faith” extends beyond personal hygiene to encompass environmental cleanliness. The advice against wasting water, even by a flowing river, reinforces the importance of resource conservation, a key target of SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

Practical Actions for Sustainable Living

Translating these ethical principles into daily practice is essential for contributing to the SDGs at an individual level. Effective measures include:

1. Refusing single-use plastics such as bags and cutlery.
2. Utilizing reusable bags, containers, and water bottles.
3. Implementing systematic waste sorting to facilitate recycling and composting.
4. Making informed choices to support sustainable and eco-friendly products.

Leadership and Community Engagement in Climate Action

Fostering Collective Responsibility

Guidance from community leaders, such as the instruction from Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V for every Ahmadi to plant at least two trees annually, exemplifies how collective action can drive environmental progress. This initiative directly contributes to carbon sequestration and biodiversity, supporting both SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land). Such leadership fosters a sense of shared responsibility and demonstrates the powerful synergy between faith-based initiatives and global sustainability objectives.

Conclusion: A Collective Path to a Sustainable Future

Addressing the global waste crisis requires a multi-faceted approach grounded in policy, technology, and individual responsibility. By integrating principles of environmental stewardship into daily life and community activities, it is possible to make significant contributions toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Fulfilling our role as caretakers of the planet is not only an ethical imperative but a practical necessity for safeguarding the environment for future generations.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on waste management, plastic pollution, and environmental responsibility, with a specific focus on Myanmar, addresses several interconnected Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The analysis reveals connections to the following goals:

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article highlights the health risks associated with improper waste management, such as air pollution from open burning and the release of toxic chemicals (dioxins, furans, mercury, PCBs) from burning plastics, which are harmful to humans.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: This is a central theme, as the article discusses the challenges of waste management in urban areas like Yangon and Mandalay due to rapid urbanisation. It points out the immense pressure on municipalities and the lack of adequate waste collection, transportation, and disposal services, leading to unsustainable practices.
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The article directly addresses this goal by focusing on the significant increase in waste generation, particularly plastic waste. It advocates for reducing waste through measures like refusing plastic bags, using reusable items, sorting waste, and choosing eco-friendly products, which are core principles of sustainable consumption and production.
4. SDG 13: Climate Action: The connection to climate action is made when the article links widespread pollution from waste to climate change. Furthermore, it promotes planting trees as a practical contribution to combating climate change.
5. SDG 14: Life Below Water: The article explicitly mentions the impact of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems, stating that plastic materials “enter oceans through drainage channels and rivers, killing marine life.” This directly relates to the goal of protecting marine environments.
6. SDG 15: Life on Land: The article touches upon this goal by warning about the risk of “ecosystem collapse” due to pollution. The call to protect the planet and the specific instruction to plant trees also contribute to the preservation and restoration of terrestrial ecosystems.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the issues discussed, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

• Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination. The article’s mention of “air pollution and health risks” from burning waste and the release of “toxic” chemicals directly aligns with this target.
• Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management. The article’s focus on the failure of municipal waste management in Myanmar’s cities and the resulting open dumping and burning is a clear reference to this target.
• Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle… and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil. The discussion on the need for proper disposal of plastic waste to prevent the release of toxins into the environment supports this target.
• Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse. The article’s practical advice to “refuse plastic bags, use reusable bags, bring your own water bottles, sort waste systematically” and the call for “investment in recycling and composting” are direct actions towards achieving this target.
• Target 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris. The statement that plastic waste enters oceans and kills marine life directly addresses the problem of marine debris from land-based sources.
• Target 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally. The specific instruction for every Ahmadi to “plant at least two trees annually” is a direct contribution to reforestation efforts mentioned in this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

While the article does not cite official SDG indicators with quantitative data, it implies several ways to measure progress:

• Proportion of waste managed safely: Progress towards Target 11.6 can be measured by tracking the percentage of municipal waste that is collected and processed in controlled facilities (like recycling or treatment centres) versus the amount that is openly dumped or burned. The article implies this by contrasting advanced facilities in developed countries with the “open burning” in Myanmar.
• Rate of recycling and composting: For Target 12.5, an increase in the national recycling and composting rates would be a key indicator of progress. The article suggests this by calling for “investment in recycling and composting.”
• Reduction in single-use plastic consumption: The call to “refuse plastic bags” and “use reusable bags” implies that a reduction in the consumption of single-use plastics per capita is a measurable indicator of changing consumption patterns (Target 12.5).
• Amount of plastic debris in waterways: A reduction in the quantity of plastic waste found in rivers and coastal areas would be a direct indicator of success for Target 14.1. The article’s focus on plastics entering oceans points to this measure.
• Number of trees planted: The specific guidance to “plant at least two trees annually” provides a direct and quantifiable indicator for measuring contributions towards reforestation and climate action goals (Targets 13.3 and 15.2).

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: alhakam.org