National conversations on single-use plastics aim to curb use locally
- EPA Director calls on Guyanese to help eliminate plastic pollution
DPI, Guyana, Friday, July 6, 2018
As Government moves to implement the ban on single-use plastics, several agencies are working to raise awareness on the harmful effects and what citizens can do to protect the environment.
Large amounts of plastic waste are choking our drains and trenches and piling up on the land is not only unsightly but harmful. Plastic pollution is very real and single-use plastics are small but have a large impact.
Single-use plastic bags are widely used in municipal markets.
These include plastic water bottles, cups, straws, food containers, black and coloured bags and other utensils. Many which end up in our waterways, drains and public spaces, as a result of dumping.
Guyana as a leader in biodiversity conservation and environmental management has taken steps to reduce the use of plastics and the impacts they have on the environment.
A nationwide consultative process has been launched and will see the hosting of national conversations to raise awareness on the dangers prior to the implementation of the ban.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is playing a critical role in sensitising Guyanese on the effects of single-use plastics.
Executive Director (ag), EPA Kemraj Parsram during the first of these national conversations, said each person has a critical role to play to ensure the successful phasing out of single-use plastics locally.
He noted that “we [EPA]as a regulator we have our views, our main mandate is to conserve and protect the environment and human health, we have an education and awareness programme that works towards sensitising the public on their responsibilities. Each of us has a responsibility to deal with the environment and to ensure it is protected.”
Even when single-use plastics are sent to the landfill they are still harmful.
The best way to curb single-use plastic pollution is to reduce personal plastic consumption, choose biodegradable bags and other reusable items, save the environment!
By: Stacy Carmichael.
Image: Keno George.