Women In Nimroz Reject Plastic, Promote Cloth Bags, Kitchen Gardens

(MENAFN- Pajhwok Afghan News) ZARANJ (Pajhwok): As plastic pollution grows into a serious environmental and health challenge in Afghanistan, women in northwestern Nimroz province are rejecting plastic bags in favour of cloth ones and establishing kitchen gardens, actively promoting a cleaner, safer and healthier living environment.

Across the world, including Afghanistan, environmental pollution has become a major concern, particularly in large cities where weak waste management systems and increased plastic use have led to soil and water contamination.

The United Nations has reported that more than 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced globally each year, half of which is intended for single use. Much of this plastic is discarded or burned, harming human health, biodiversity and ecosystems.

Saying no to plastic bags

Shaima Mohammadi, 48, a resident of Zaranj City, told Pajhwok Afghan News:“Plastic bag waste has polluted our environment; wherever you look, there are discarded bags. I decided to stop using plastic bags. At home, we sewed cloth bags and I use those instead. I want to contribute to reducing pollution by making a small change in my lifestyle.”

She added:“In the past, when plastic bags did not exist, our mothers sewed cloth bags. When the head of the household went to the market, he would carry the same bag for groceries. Paper bags were also common. People were healthier and illnesses were fewer. But with the arrival of plastic, diseases have increased and people are unaware of its harms.”

Mohammadi said that after reading an article on the harmful effects of plastic bags, she decided to replace them with cloth alternatives. She has also swapped plastic containers for glass jars to store pulses.

She encourages friends, relatives and neighbours to avoid plastic bags whenever she meets them.

Mohammadi is not alone in her concern. Sadaf Amiri, another Zaranj resident, has also begun using cloth bags to reduce environmental pollution and protect her family's health.

“There is an empty plot in front of our house where neighbours dump rubbish,” she explained.“Addicts and poor children rummage through it for bottles and cans, scattering waste. Most of it is plastic. It just remains there.”

Amiri described women's role in promoting cloth bags as effective.“Even if you have half a metre of fabric at home, sew a bag and use it. Create a small garden in your yard.”

Both women plan to sew cloth bags at home and supply them to the market.

Kitchen gardens contributing to a cleaner environment

Fariba, 40, a resident of Delaram district, is among women who have taken practical steps by establishing a kitchen garden, contributing both to cultivation and environmental cleanliness.

She said that due to her interest in greenery, she sought repeated assistance from the Delaram Agriculture Department until she was finally provided with the necessary facilities to create a garden.

Meanwhile, Asadullah, extension manager at the Nimroz Department of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, explained that a month ago, with support from some institutions, 40 women in Delaram district received training and kitchen gardens were established.

He added that 16 greenhouses had also been constructed for women in the district, further strengthening their role in agricultural development and environmental protection.

According to him, a survey has been completed and preliminary work is underway to establish kitchen gardens for another 600 women across the province in the near future.

Expert opinion

Abdul Mateen Mateen, an environmental expert, said:“Environmental pollution caused by the production and disposal of plastic is a major problem worldwide. In our country, the widespread use of plastic bags and disposable utensils is seen as a sign of being modern, while in many developed countries, their use has been significantly reduced due to harmful environmental impacts.”

He noted that plastics do not easily decompose and can take between 50 and 1,000 years to break down. Due to their non-biodegradable nature, plastic waste released into the environment causes severe pollution and poses a serious threat to human health and future generations.

Environmental authorities

Mawlawi Habibullah Mazhari, head of the Environmental Protection Department, said environmental protection is a collective responsibility, but women - as mothers and primary household managers - play a crucial role in instilling a culture of environmental stewardship in future generations.

He added that women can contribute significantly by reducing waste, separating rubbish, and conserving water and energy. Mazhari described the use of cloth bags instead of plastic as one of the most important steps to curb pollution and praised mothers who had embraced the initiative.

He said the department continues to organise awareness programmes in schools and religious seminaries and publish educational materials to raise public consciousness. While precise statistics on plastic consumption in the province are unavailable, assessments indicate high usage, with poor waste segregation cited as a key factor.

hz/sa

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