Lunchtime Friday, which will be observed as Earth Day, should take an interesting turn if the public heeds calls from government’s environment and planning agency to avoid using the common take-out material styrofoam.

The alternatives are either to dine-in and use China, take lunch from home in reusable containers, or utilise biodegradable paper products, which at least one major local eatery has already started to use.

Styrofoam is used to make plates, lunch boxes, cups, among other things. It lends itself to portability and is relatively cheap to produce. However, it is non-biodegradable and a major source of marine debris which poses a threat to both plant and animal life.

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) says avoiding the use of styrofoam, even on one day, will reduce the amount that finds itself in dumps or washed up on beaches around the island. It is also a show of commitment and contributuion to the worldwide observance of Earth Day.

“Individuals and organisations are being encouraged to forego the use of styrofoam for that day and to commence the discussion on the impact of styrofoam on the environment and ways to reduce its use,” the agency said yesterday.

NEPA’s ‘No Styrofoam Day’ is being promoted via its various social media platforms.

“Protecting the environment is an important task that we, as Jamaicans, all need to work together to accomplish. Earth Day, which is being celebrated under the theme ‘Trees for the Earth’, is a day that we remember how important the environment is to our daily lives,” said Dr Kerrine Senior, manager of NEPA’s Pollution Prevention Branch.

Also in observance of Earth Day, the agency will screen various environmental films, host a scavenger hunt, and stage a display at its offices at 10 and 11 Caledonia Avenue, in Cross Roads.

Earth Day is observed each year on April 22.