Earth Today | Getting serious about recycling

WITH A population of 2.8 million people, Jamaica produces, on average, 8,657 tonnes of solid waste per day, according to information out of the National Environment and Planning Agency.

This equates to more than three million tonnes of waste each year, which, simply put, means that there is more waste than people on the island.

Here are some things Jamaicans can do to improve waste management:

- Use reusable containers.

- Use plastics for do-it-yourself projects.

- Avoid burning and dumping into water bodies.

- Keep two bags or bins for waste collection at home, in your car, and at work - one for plastics and the other for other waste.

- Drop off your plastics at any recycling depot across the island.

Since the launch of the Recycle Challenge by Wisynco ECO, 38,192 bottles have been collected by corporate companies, with Fidelity Motors leading the charge.

Located in the downtown Kingston area, Fidelity has collected 15,466 bottles. David Crawford, marketing officer, shared that Fidelity has been encouraging their customers and communities in and around downtown to step up to the challenge, by bringing in their plastic bottles for recycling.

This is also in an effort to restore downtown to a cleaner, greener, and plastic-free environment.

"Recycling is currently driving so many industries, and as a progressive company, we are embracing it," Crawford said.

The Recycle Challenge, which aims to see to the collection of 100,000 plastic bottles by July 20, is also intended to build awareness and promote recycling among Jamaicans over the long term. More information on the challenge can be found at www.wisynco.com/recycle-challenge.