Dissection of a case

Episode 1: Problem findout

Problem Insights
Annually 87,000 tonnes of single-use plastics, including plastic bags, bottles, cups,
plates and straws are thrown away in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh’s High Court recently ordered to ban single used plastic

in coastal areas following the ban order on polythene on 2002.

To find out the root causes of use of single use plastic and polythene CAUSE-
and-EFFECT diagram is used.
Steps for Cause-and-effect Diagram
• Identify and Define the EFFECT.
• Identify the main CAUSES. Causes can be categorized as Man,
Management, Machine, Material, Environment, Measurement,
Method etc.
• Use 5 WHY to find ROOT CAUSES.
• Analyze the Diagram.
• Based on the stated root causes a survey should be done.

• A Pareto Analysis should be done to find out the main

causes of repeatedly use of SUP and polythene.
PARETO ANALYSIS
80/20 RULE : The idea that by doing 20% of the work you can
generate 80% of the benefit of doing the entire job.
For example, a vast majority of problems (80%) are produced
by a few key causes (20%). This technique is also called the
vital few and Trivial many.
VITAL FEW CAUSES are:
• Deteriorative recycling process
• Defective waste management system
• Govt’s limitations to create awareness
According to the pareto analysis, if government of
Bangladesh wants to reduce the amount of plastic
and polythene in the environment it should:
• Inspire governmental and non-governmental recycling
process.
• Build up a well functioned waste management system.
• More advertising to raise awareness among the public.