#Kingston, Jamaica, February 23, 2021 – Minister of Housing, Urban Renewal, Environment and Climate Change, Pearnel Charles Jr. is calling for positive behaviour change towards plastic pollution as the Government gears up to implement the third phase of the ban on single-use plastics come June 2021.
Speaking
to JIS News, he said: “The issue of
plastic pollution brings to the fore the importance of protecting and
preserving the environment. We each must play a role, through a positive
behaviour shift, in helping to protect the environment and, by extension,
safeguarding human health for present and future generations of Jamaicans”.
Minister
Charles Jr. said that one way in which citizens can play a role is by actively
seeking out and patronising companies that provide environmentally friendly
products for the market and have a good track record of environmental
stewardship.
“The
majority of the plastic waste generated locally is plastic bottles,
specifically PET bottles. As previously announced, the Government has charged
the private sector-led Recycling Partners of Jamaica Limited (RPJL) with the
implementation of the Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS) on plastic bottles. We are
encouraging other private-sector partners and citizens to adopt the habit of
recycling and participate in this programme,” he pointed out.
Minister
Charles noted that since the start of the Government’s ban on single-use
plastics in 2019, many Jamaicans have joined the movement. However, others
still need to come on board.
“While
we will be enforcing the law and executing the public awareness and education
campaign, we are encouraging citizens to actively participate in this national
movement,” he said.
Minister
Charles pointed out that the Government has been actively inviting the private
sector and entrepreneurs to get involved in minimising single-use plastic
waste.
“One step at a time, as a country, we move towards action that advances our environmental agenda and our climate goals. If Jamaicans understand the importance of this, then it will become a national movement rather than another policy,” he said.
Contact: Colleen Dawkins
Release: BIS
Caption: Minister of Housing, Urban Renewal, Environment and Climate Change, Pearnel Charles Jr. (Photo: Mark Bell)
