BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – WITH the Federation joining the rest of the world in recognition of April 22 as Earth Day, the topic of placing a ban on the importation and use of plastic bags in the Federation has once again surfaced.
This comes on the heels of two CARICOM member states implementing such policy in their jurisdictions.
Antigua and Barbuda has banned the importation of plastic bags, except those used for garbage disposal services, while Guyana currently prohibits the importation of Styrofoam containers.
Speaking at a press conference in the office of the Organization of American States (OAS) in St. Kitts and Nevis, Ambassador Jonel Powell acknowledged that there is a large number of plastic bags in many homes in the Federation and that they could not be removed overnight if a ban is placed on their importation.
Powell, who is also the spokesperson for the Local Organising Committee of this year’s Earth Day, noted that efforts should be made to stem the flow of plastic bags being distributed at supermarket.
“What we are trying to do, is reduce the number of plastic bags that we are using. And for the ordinary man who has the accumulation of plastic bags, most of which he really has no uses for other than for simple garbage disposal, we are encouraging them to use the reusable bags.”
Against that backdrop, the Ambassador commended private sector entity RAM’S Group of Companies for their continued push to ‘Go Green’ with their reusable cloth bags, which he added comes with a minimal fee.
Powell suggested that going forward, there is a need for people to find alternatives to storing their garbage outside of the use of normal plastic bags.
He however noted that consideration must be given to the special types of garbage bags currently on the market, because they are biodegradable.
Meanwhile, when questioned on the position his organization would take to assist in that area, OAS Resident Ambassador to St. Kitts and Nevis, Terrance Craig pointed out that a documentary would soon be aired to highlight the dangers associated with using plastic bags.
“What we can do is increase the awareness, and to do so we have bought the rights to bargain...and shortly it will be shown in St. Kitts and Nevis,” Craig explained.
Powell revealed that discussions were held with several government agencies but there has been no formal discussion within the Government over a ban on the importation of plastic bags.
Back in February at the launch of Earth Week at the Eco-park in St Paul’s, it was disclosed that consideration was given for a proposal to be taken before Cabinet for approval.
At that launch, Minister of Education the Hon. Shawn Richards had called on the public to take up the mantle and be more responsible when dealing with plastic and other non-biodegradable items.
Powell insisted that alternative ways must be looked at by the Government if they are not going to take the position of banning of plastic bags.
Research has shown that plastic bags are made from natural gas and they take about 400 to 1,000 years to breakdown in the environment. Plastic bags are said to have caused the death of over 100,000 sea turtle and other marine animals on a yearly basis.
