Dominica is Banning Plastic, Styrofoam

plastic straws
CNN

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.

In a Nutshell:  Effective January 2019, all common plastics and single-use Styrofoam cups and food containers will be banned.

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.

Pile of plastic waste
National Geographic

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.

Caribbean360.com

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.

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About Stevie McQueene 9 Articles
Now that her kids are grown, Stevie McQueene is enjoying her second life as an writer who is willing to go anywhere for a good story, but prefers that "anywhere" be an all-inclusive resort and the "good story" to be one about spas. Or food. Or wine. Or some combination of those three. When not doing 'research' from a beach chair, Stevie can usually be found satisfying her daily salt intake requirements in the ocean waves, or a bottomless margarita.
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