The Caribbean nation Dominica has been nicknamed “Nature Island” for its spectacular rainforests, waterfalls and pristine coastline. And in an effort to preserve that nickname, the small island has announced a comprehensive next step in its journey to become the world’s first green climate-resilient nation.
The ban builds on an earlier initiative to restrict imports of non-biodegradable containers, an attempt to cut off their flow into the stores and restaurants that distribute them.
Nearly a million plastic beverage bottles are sold every minute.
(If only we could make art out of all the waste)
“Dominica prides itself as the ‘Nature Isle’. We must in every way deserve and reflect that designation,” says Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.
National Geographic notes the island’s warm waters are also one of the world’s most populous summer habitats for migrating sperm whales. Protecting these populations adds urgency to the effort to eliminate plastics that are known to be harmful to marine mammals.
“Animals are curious, particularly the calves,” National Geographic explorer Shane Gero says, “Sometimes they’ll play with these clamshell styrofoam lunch boxes.”
The full list of Dominica’s banned items is yet to be finalized, but the government says it will include plastic straws, plastic plates, plastic forks, plastic knives, Styrofoam cups and Styrofoam containers.
Hear ye, not here ye… As more and more countries seek to rid of thy single-use pollutant, we bid ye farewell plastic waste.
