Why has the Government not Treated Water Bottles as Another Plastic Menace?

Plastic Free July is an international campaign led by the Australian-based Plastic Free Foundation, which encourages people across the world to be part of the solution to plastic pollution by refusing single-use plastics. Some of the proposals include using reusable shopping bags, coffee cups and water bottles, refusing plastic straws, and organising clean-ups in communities. 

The Department of Sustainable Development is on board with the observance of Plastic Free July, and last week issued a press release inviting public and private sector departments, agencies and groups to curtail their reliance on single-use plastics. The Department also called on other government departments to request a permanent change for in-house catering, whereby caterers provide biodegradable or reusable dishes, cutlery and glasses. Minister for Sustainable Development, Dr. Gale Rigobert,  was happy about the initiative: “Reducing our dependence on single-use plastics can only put a stop to indiscriminate disposal of plastic waste, which always rears its ugly head when it rains.”   

In June parliament passed the Styrofoam and Plastic Food Service Containers (Prohibition) Bill that, starting next month, will make illegal the importation, manufacturing, sale, use and distribution of Styrofoam and plastic food service containers, also disposable trays, bowls, cups, plates, cup lids, bowl lids, forks, spoons, knives, stirrers, egg cartons and straws. However, the Bill does not cover plastic bottles. 

The Saint Lucia Solid Waste Management Authority  was unable to say how much plastic is annually dumped on-island. A representative would say only that it was “quite a bit”. What he meant by that can be seen at the island’s roadsides, rivers, drains and beaches. Will plastic bottles be addressed by legislators any time soon?  

For some time now, Ti Kaye Resort & Spa has partnered with other agencies in organising clean-up campaigns island-wide. Resort owner Mr. Nick Pinnock applauded the recent legislation and is hopeful the plastic bottles problem will soon also be tackled. He said a recent clean-up of some seven miles of road, from Roseau to Anse La Verdure, had picked up two large truckloads of waste. 

“While an accurate tally was not conducted,” he said, “I’m sure most participants would agree plastic water bottles formed the greater part of the collection.” He lamented the effect on visitors who come to the island expecting a clean environment. He added, “We have used in our tourism advertisement  ‘Simply Beautiful’ and currently ‘Let her inspire you’ but the tag lines almost amount to false advertising. For our own survival we must change some of our habits or face the consequences.”