Public awareness session held ahead of Jan. 1 Styrofoam ban

Dec 03, 2015 News

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Business operators, industry stakeholders and the general public were yesterday exposed to new bio-degradable alternatives to Styrofoam.
The alternatives which include packing material and packages such as boxes and cups were displayed at an exhibition and public consultation held at the Square of the Revolution, by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), under the Ministry of Governance, Department of Natural Resources and the Environment.

The event is part of an effort to make persons aware of the alternative products that can be used instead of Styrofoam, given the impeding ban restricting the importation of the product in the food industry. It takes effect from January 1, 2016.
Restricting the importation of Styrofoam products in the food industry is part of a large agenda, led by the EPA, and is aimed at addressing the very visible and not so visible impacts of Styrofoam on the environment and human health, a government statement on the event explained yesterday.
The effort is also in line with having a sustainable environment in keeping with the Government of Guyana’s green and sustainable five-stage plan.
The EPA will collaborate with the Ministries of Legal Affairs and Finance, via the Guyana Revenue Authority, to implement the Styrofoam ban.
EPA’s Executive Director, Dr. Indarjit Ramdass, noted that key to the implementation of this prohibition is education and awareness.
“So we will attempt to have panel discussions, presentations, radio ads and TV programmes among other activities in order to inform persons of their responsibility.”
He said the EPA has recognised that prior to the implementation of the ban, a standard for alternative packaging must be recommended and implemented. Whilst a national standard for Styrofoam alternative is not yet available, Dr. Ramdass assured that the agency has commenced the process.
With respect to alternative products, Dr. Ramdass said that the agency is promoting 100 percent bio-degradable and ‘compostable’ plant fibre-based products that meet ASTM D6868 standards. This specification covers biodegradable plastics and products (including packaging), where plastic film or sheet is attached (either through lamination or extrusion directly onto the paper) and the entire product or package is designed to be composted in municipal and industrial aerobic composting facilities.

The alternative must also be certified by the Bio-degradable Products Institute (BPI), Dr. Ramdass said.
The containers to be allowed by the EPA include aluminum, glass and recyclable plastic and paper.
Addressing the stakeholders at the event, Director, EMCD, EPA, Kemraj Parsram, explained that for some time now, EPA in collaboration with the Department of Natural Resources and Environment and other stakeholders, has been working towards amicable and innovative solutions to the solid waste nightmare that has too long plagued the country.
Over the last two years, the EPA has contributed to this fight by implementing its litter prevention programme that sought to address the inappropriate disposal of waste. Parsram explained that yesterday’s event was part of this process. The primary objective was to facilitate the exchange of information among all interested parties that would help with the implementation of the ban. Parsram noted that though the word ban invokes a negative perception, the effort must be seen as “a unified approach to tackling the solid waste scourge.”
“The ban is not taking away something, but instead provides an opportunity for us and Guyana as a whole to go down a sustainable path to fulfilling the vision of a green economy. We cannot do this alone, we need all hands on deck, collaboration and transparency is key,” he noted.
Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of the private sector at the event, Chairman of the Trade and Investment Sub-Committee, Ramesh Dookhoo, noted that the private sector is a friend of the environment.
“You can do nothing in today’s business world without considering the environment and factor in the cost of protecting the environment in your business plan,” he said.
He added that the private sector welcomes the initiative and hopes that the success of the exhibition will bring some ease and confidence to the next phase for importers and small businesses that have depended heavily on Styrofoam importation and its use and distribution.
Dookhoo also warned against not putting measures to stop illegal importation of Styrofoam. “Let us not be caught in a dilemma like our Caricom sister Haiti, who has banned Styrofoam for two consecutive years, and yet it is still one of the worst environmental issues in the country. We have to put mechanisms in place to deter illegal importation, and ensure all stakeholders in the industry are aware of the proposed national standards for Styrofoam,” he advised.
Styrofoam accounts for two percent of municipal garbage in Georgetown. It takes some 500 years to decompose. The disposal of Styrofoam products along with other materials clog the city’s drains, resulting in flooding and the proliferation of vector-borne diseases.

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