Tunisia Among the World’s Largest Plastic Consumers: Average Tunisian Uses 400 Plastic Bags Annually
Tunisia ranks among the highest consumers of plastic worldwide. During a radio interview, Awatef El Arbi, Director of Quality of Life at the Ministry of Environment, stated that the average Tunisian uses nearly 400 plastic bags per year, compared to an average of fifty plastic bags per year used by European citizens.
These bags contain highly toxic substances called nanoplastics, which, when released due to heat and decomposition, pose serious health risks — potentially affecting human fertility, the Director noted.
Marine ecosystem pollution caused by these plastic nanoparticles is particularly devastating, especially for sea turtles, which often die by suffocation after ingesting hundreds or even thousands of plastic bags and other plastic waste. These plastics either get buried under sand when discarded by citizens or are carried to the seabed by waves.
“A study conducted on plastics discarded into the environment showed that most are single-use and disposable plastics, which represent a true disaster, particularly for sea turtles — a key link in the ecosystem. If they disappear one day due to pollution, we will no longer be able to swim in the sea,” Awatef El Arbi emphasized.
The Ministry of Environment official added that 22 initiatives aimed at raising awareness about plastic pollution have been launched. Trophies have also been awarded to activists and associations actively participating in awareness campaigns and anti-pollution operations, supporting the awareness strategy implemented by the Ministry.
Source: La presse
