Latest update November 29th, 2024 1:00 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

We seem to have gone into a plastic madness

Dec 28, 2009 Letters

Dear Editor,

If people are going to enjoy the holidays, then please do so with restraint and some prudence.

No I am not talking about the alcohol binge that occurs around this time but the huge amounts of polystyrene (Styrofoam) receptacles which would be used at the dozens of Christmas fêtes, parties, socials, lunches, dinners, gatherings and events of such nature.

Over the past weeks, there have been numerous reports in the media of Christmas celebrations and parties hosted by persons and corporate entities to share the Christmas spirit among the poor, needy and less fortunate. This is very commendable. However, we in Guyana seem not to be environmentally conscious at times, so I am urging persons to think about their surroundings.

We seemed to have gone into a plastic madness as there has been a plethora of products which have, over time, switched from being available in glass bottles to now being in plastic containers. The plastic invasion began about 10 years ago, prior to when I remember we had aerated beverages in glass bottles which had to be returned to be processed and refilled by the soft-drink factories. With so much of these plastic bottled aerated sodas being sold, I am boggled as to where all of these plastic containers are going, or what happens to them after they would’ve been dumped or thrown away somewhere. In some parts of Canada, the buyer has to pay five additional dollars at selected supermarkets.

Plastic pervades our environment. We use so much plastic and other recyclable materials when all is said and done. We go to supermarkets, shops, stores and eateries, purchase items, then we are given plastic bags — lots of them — then we empty those bags when we get home, and then what? The process is repeated the next time.

Other nations use paper bags (huge ones) at supermarkets. Many do not even give bags. Paper combusts easier than plastic and it (plastic) releases toxic gases like dioxin in the air when burned.

I get worried and frightened when I see the plastic craze around me every day. Without an effective plan to recycle and reuse plastic in the very near future, our environment will get angry and start rebelling. God help us then.

L.J.S.

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | November, 20th, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

 

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Guyana Beverages Inc. partners with GFF for Maid Marian Wheat Up Women’s Cup

Guyana Beverages Inc. partners with GFF for Maid Marian Wheat Up...

Nov 29, 2024

  (GFF) — Guyana Beverages Inc (GBI) in an effort to contribute to the development of women’s football has partnered with the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) as a sponsor of the Maid Marian...
Read More
GFF provides support to EBFA U14 Boys’ League

GFF provides support to EBFA U14 Boys’ League

Nov 29, 2024

Athletics scores big at NSC National Sports Awards

Athletics scores big at NSC National Sports

Nov 29, 2024

St. Theresa’s Primary triumph in Republic Bank ‘Five for Fun’ National Finals

St. Theresa’s Primary triumph in Republic Bank...

Nov 29, 2024

Wakenaam Masters to face Parika Defenders in T20 softball affair on Saturday night

Wakenaam Masters to face Parika Defenders in T20...

Nov 29, 2024

Bakewell supports Kashif and Shanghai Futsal tourney

Bakewell supports Kashif and Shanghai Futsal...

Nov 28, 2024

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]