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Styrofoam crackdown imminent amidst garbage woes
Government has announced moves to introduce taxes and other disincentives to reduce a major problem with styrofoam boxes and plastic containers.
Government plans to introduce legislation to reduce the importation of Styrofoam boxes and plastic containers, as a means to battle the garbage problem. (KN File Photo, June 2012)
Speaking with reporters yesterday, Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, disclosed that the waste disposal problem facing the country has prompted the administration to launch its “Pick It Up Guyana” campaign.
The country has been battling a growing problem of waste disposal, made worse by widespread use and importation of the non-biodegradable styrofoam food boxes, plastic soda bottles and aluminum tins.
Waterways and drains have been clogged by the containers, with millions spent to clean up afterwards. It has been blamed for flooding and the unsightly look of several wards of the city and the country.
According to Luncheon, government is looking at legislation that will reduce these imports and encourage the use of recycled materials.There are also likely to be measures put in place to encourage more investments into waste disposal and even in expanding in areas of recycling.
As a matter of fact, government-sponsored events will be banning the use of the Styrofoam boxes, plastic bottles and aluminum containers.
There will be “zero tolerance” for littering under new measures to be introduced, the official said.
Already, the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development is moving to collaborate to come up with strategies to deal with solid waste disposal issues. There will likely be considerations for the establishment of community dumping sites, Luncheon said.
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