The Environment ministry has sent out a signal that as of this Friday there’ll be 15 days left until the full ban on single use handle plastic bags in Grenada.
This comes with the Non-biodegradable Waste Control Act of 2018 taking full effect.
It’s said to be a significant step towards limiting the occurrence of plastic litter and ultimately decrease plastic contamination.
It’s understood that the Non-biodegradable Waste Control Act has received widespread support since coming into effect, starting with the phasing out of Styrofoam containers last year.
February 1 will be another significant phase.
Grenadian businesses will no longer issue single-use handle plastic shopping bags at supermarkets and food outlets island-wide.
This is seen as a key milestone in the protection and preservation of “Pure Grenada” as a national brand, striving to become known as a nation and people who value God-given natural resources.
Grenada is seen accommodating the legislative and social changes necessary, leading the way in a regional transition to a sustainable Blue Economy.
A release from the Ministry is that the objective is to enhance the quality of marine and coastal areas with ecosystems that are healthy and climate resilient, free from plastic pollution.
When small plastic objects (like plastic bags, bottles, straws and utensils) are found in rivers and coastal waters, they can have significant detrimental effects on our fish and wildlife, which in turn can also pose health risks to humans.
Plastics regularly cause entanglement, suffocation and premature death if ingested.
The general public is being encouraged to begin using their own re-usable shopping bags, in anticipation of the upcoming ban.
