A plastic bag in the sea underwater.
By Morgan Adderley
Tribune Staff Reporter
madderley@tribunemedia.net
ENVIRONMENT and Housing Minister Romauld Ferreira plans to take a paper to Cabinet on the issue of banning plastic bags in the Bahamas, Press Secretary Anthony Newbold confirmed yesterday to The Tribune.
The proposed ban has recently been brought into focus through the efforts of the Bahamas Plastic Movement (BPM), an environmental non-governmental organisation.
Youth representatives from BPM travelled from Eleuthera to Nassau earlier this month to advocate for the ban and highlight the detrimental effects plastic has on the environment.
According to the Plastic Pollution Coalition (PPC), Mr Ferreira announced proposed plans for a plastic bag ban to the BPM delegation when he met with them during their trip.
“Minister Ferreira proposed to ban plastic bags completely in The Bahamas, followed by various types of single-use plastics such as polystyrene (Styrofoam),” the PPC website states.
Mr Ferreira also “explained that the Ministry of Environment has been working on formulating and pushing regulations with Parliament that address plastic use in the country and agreed that through laws and swift action, the problem of plastic pollution will be reversed in the Bahamas.”
The website continues: “Bahamas Plastic Movement founder, Kristal Ambrose, said plastic bags are used in abundance in the Bahamas, along with other single-use and disposable plastic items such as plastic bottles, straws, cups, and polystyrene (also known as Styrofoam) food containers.”
“Our goal is to see a reduction in plastic bag use and plastic bag litter in the country, however our ultimate goal is to have a complete ban on plastic bags and Styrofoam for the entire Bahamas by the year 2020,” said Ms Ambrose.
Representatives from Bahamas Plastic Movement said if the rate of plastic pollution on beaches increases, it could cause up to US $8.5 million in tourism losses annually for the country.
In the Free National Movement’s 2017 manifesto, the party vowed that “an FNM government will phase out the use of plastic bags by 2020.”
Mr Ferreira did not respond to The Tribune’s numerous requests for comment up to press time.
Comments
ohdrap4 6 years, 10 months ago
no styrofoam?
what are people going to eat out of?
people do not buy crockery because they hate to wash dishes.
stillwaters 6 years, 10 months ago
Paper plates are available.
TheMadHatter 6 years, 10 months ago
https://www.theblaze.com/news/2018/01/2…
Interesting timing coincidence of these 2 articles.
TorontoGal 6 years, 10 months ago
Personally, plastic and Styrofoam should be banned world wide. There isn't any need in our environment for either product anymore. Bravo for the Bahamas for taking that initiative!
birdiestrachan 6 years, 10 months ago
Minister Ferreiree has not been in the news lately so he is now in the lime light. But banning plastic bags in the Bahamas will not solve his problems.
John 6 years, 10 months ago
Styrofoam is also a form of plastic known as (EPS) electro plastic styrene. It poses more danger here because is is commonly used in microwaves rather than for just storing food. When burned it not only releases fluorocarbons into the air but many other poisonous gases are absorbed into whatever foods it contains. Many places have already banned the use of styrofoam or, at least, forbids its use for warming foods in public places like schools and restaurants.
John 6 years, 10 months ago
There was a factory in Freeport that manufactured the pellets that are eventually used to make the styrofoam products. Some of the chemicals used in the production were so toxic, and cancerous one of the requirements was that the foundation for the plant be 3 feet thick. But of course once a plant is up and running and hiring zombies, no one bothers to check that they are following the rules and guidelines. Never mind hundreds of children were getting sick and having to miss school for days on end.
SP 6 years, 10 months ago
This is good for the environment but If they ban plastic bags, what would shanty town dwellers use to defecate in and what would be the alternative effect on the environment?
truetruebahamian 6 years, 10 months ago
The ban is to be for SINGLE USE plastic bags - not plastic bags in general which have other uses like garbage, storage and gardening. Styrofoam containers should be banned outright as there are alternative containers that look similar and serve the same purpose but do not have the same toxins in them which leach out into the food that they hold. These styrofoam contained meals are more often than not microwaved which accelerates the release of these toxins into the food or drink, and even if not microwaved, the ordinary heat from the food or drink releases these toxins into the contents of the styrofoam containers.
sheeprunner12 6 years, 10 months ago
Agreed .......... and while Romy is at it, put in some public incinerators and a recycle plant in Nassau and underground storage sites instead of above-ground garbage compounds in the Out Islands ........ too much rodents and storm debris after hurricanes.
The_Oracle 6 years, 10 months ago
Another ill thought out target, needs much clarification and consideration. Ziploc bags? They are single use and Insofar as food handling (not consumption) Plastic has improved the general safety from food poisoning. Plastic shopping bags? Ok they can go. Plastic garbage bags? Yard Bags? Shrink wrap? Saranwrap? Fish bags? Ice bags? All Single use. Strikes me the real problem is Bahamians not being happy unless surrounded by their own garbage. Out the car window with any and everything. How about the food and other products that come in bags? are we going to have Customs confiscating bags? We could have the food stores go back to wrapping everything is wax or brown paper I suppose.
sheeprunner12 6 years, 10 months ago
They are called "green bags" ....... you can make them from plait if you choose.......... a much better, cheaper, eco-friendly and attractive option. Use your catacoo to the foodstore.
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