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St Kitts gov't urges citizens to reduce use of plastics

Published:Thursday | July 12, 2018 | 11:55 AM
CMC photo

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, CMC  – The government has urged the public to reduce their use of plastics in their everyday lives as plastic pollution is one of the biggest environmental challenges which as negative effects on human, plant, animal, and marine life.

“We are realistic and we recognise that plastics have become an integral part of our lives and so what we are doing is creating awareness of the need to reduce the number of plastics that is generated, especially single-use plastics,” said Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism Danielle Taylor-Williams.

Taylor-Williams, who was speaking on a local programme on Wednesday, touched briefly on the initiative called “Plastic Free July”, while at the same time encouraging persons to be more aware of their plastic use.

“…where we are today, there are some plastics but they are used multiple times and we all know about the durability of plastics and their flexibility. Plastic is even used in making clothes, and more and more vehicles are being manufactured using plastics but a vehicle is not a one use item,” she said.

“That is why there is such a thing as a plastic-free July. Not that it ends in July, but this is where we heighten the awareness of the need for us to end plastic pollution".

Vanessa Webbe, Tourism Officer in Nevis, shared similar sentiments and noted that St. Kitts and Nevis can succeed in its quest to reduce the use of plastics.

“I want to say assertively that we can eliminate the single use of plastics and I think overtime, reduce plastics. So let us continue the discussion and encourage each other and remind each other to go plastic free,” she said.

Last month, St. Kitts and Nevis joined the rest of the world to observe World Environment Day under the theme: “Beat Plastic Pollution”.

The Department of Environment uses the month of June annually to promote environmental awareness in schools, and among the general public. 

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