Bynoe supports green option
MORE support is coming for recent calls to place a tax on Styrofoam containers to discourage the use of the packaging, which is having a deleterious effect on the environment.
This comes from National Coordinator of the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme, David Bynoe, who cautioned that Barbados must first have alternatives before such a tax is put in place.
Responding to the media during a recently held press conference to discuss the upcoming Green Knowledge Fair, Bynoe, while speaking in a personal capacity, said he would endorse such a move.
“Because if you put a tax on it, you will reduce the consumption of the use of Styrofoam products. What we need to do, we need to go beyond putting a tax on it, we need to provide feasible alternatives. For example, if you are telling people you can’t use certain plastic bags in your shopping, then we need to know that we have certain biodegradable options when you go to shop, because you need to have something.
“My own experience in Europe and other places, these options are there. So when you add a tax on, then the action is already developed for you to choose a greener path. If you don’t have these options and you just have a tax, then you will have some initial kickback until we can adapt to these changes,” he said.
Similar sentiments were recently expressed by the Chairman of the Barbados Private Sector Association, Alex McDonald, who stated that though it would be a difficult process, it was not insurmountable, suggesting that more creative ways can be found to eliminate the use of Styrofoam.
Neighbouring Guyana placed a full ban on the importation of Styrofoam on April 1, 2016.
Earlier this month, the Minister of Environment and Drainage, Denis Lowe suggested that the days of plastics in Barbados are numbered, as serious
consideration is being given to putting a complete ban on plastics going into the waste stream.
Lowe noted that there are countries which have successfully done this, and expressed confidence that Barbados will follow suit. He made it clear however, that this will not be done without consultation with those involved in the production of plastics locally.
“Before the Ministry takes any substantive forward step on it, we have to have consultations with all of the players in the plastic business. We are going to invite them in to have a consultation about what they see as the most ready solution to plastics in the waste stream; they will help us decide what the policy will be. It is not the strong arm of government coming down and saying, as of the 21st of never don’t put any more plastic bags in your store,” he explained.
(JH)