We always see those Department of the Environment ads about keeping the place clean, recycling and using biodegradable products instead of those Styrofoam plates and utensils. Well, those messages are more than just public announcements now. As we told you last night, Cabinet approved a proposal to phase out single-use plastic shopping bags, Styrofoam and plastic food utensils by next year April.
And by "phase out'', the plan is that there won't be any of these products on the market in country. It is a major change but the CEO in the Ministry of Environment says it is necessary to keep the environment clean and wildlife safe. Dr. Percival Cho told us more about the ban and the alternative products that will replace the foam containers.
Dr. Percival Cho, CEO, Ministry of Environment
"What we have done we have put together a task force to look at what really and truly is happening with the use of these shopping bags, these plastic bags in particular the Styrofoam utensils: forks, knifes and straws and so we did a survey of the level of usage in the country and it was quantified so we looked at different recommendations as to how we can begin to phase out the use of these harmful plastic and Styrofoam pieces of supplies."
"There is some debate in terms of the pollution aspect of the chemicals that are used to make these plastics and Styrofoam. Whereas they might be considered relatively safe, the articles themselves and how they disintegrate and break up into pieces when we throw them away, those little pieces tend to be harmful to wildlife and fishes and other things."
"In addition to the negative effects on wildlife, there is just the unsightly and costly aspect of plastic and Styrofoam pollution."
"Within the year we expect to see the decrease in importation of these articles and by April 2019 the idea being to completely phase out the importation of these articles in Belize so they simply won't be available."
"There are alternatives to Styrofoam and plastic supplies on the market already. There is the plant based clam shells, I don't know if you have seen them before, those are biodegradable, they are plant based, there are also the plant based shopping bags."
Courtney Weatherburne, reporter
"Is there going to be any public awareness campaign to really go out into the communities?"
Dr. Percival Cho
"Absolutely, the phasing out period is set for a year and we have set earth day 2019 as the end date for this phasing out so during this year, beyond the consultations so far we have done at this point, we will continue to develop a public awareness campaign over the coming year, you will hear jingles, CTV ads, you will see a lot of activity. The main idea being to sensitize the public and really and truly this thing starts with each of us in our households, I think it is a public effort and I think there is a lot of support for it in Belize and that is great to see."
Cho also mentioned that the importation duties on these biodegradable products such as the plant based containers will be reduced so that the cost of acquiring these products doesn't increase food prices.
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