Jamaica has less plastic on coastline
Executive Director of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), Dr. Carey
Wallace, says the ban on single-use plastics has reduced the amount of plastic
pollutants collected along the Palisadoes coastline on International Coastal Cleanup
Day, this year.
“Last year when the TEF participated in International Coastal Cleanup Day, we noticed a lot of single-use plastics like straws, scandal bags and styrofoam products. However, this year there was a noticeable reduction in the number of these products we cleared from the coastline,” Dr Wallace said.
He noted that data from the Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) shows a
30 per cent reduction in the number of single-use plastics collected this year
along the Palisadoes Strip on International Costal Cleanup Day (September 21),
when compared to last year.
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Nearly 1000 lbs of plastic waste collected in East Portland for Coastal Cleanup 2019[/naviga:li][naviga:li]
Record 190 sites to be cleaned today on International Coastal Cleanup Day[/naviga:li][/naviga:ul]
Dr. Wallace said the TEF welcomes the positive impact of the ban
and is encouraging the Government and citizens to continue playing their part
in preserving the environment.
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Montego Bay Harbour much cleaner[/naviga:li][/naviga:ul]
“One of the great things we showcase as a tourism destination is
our natural beauty, so we need to safeguard it by taking care of the
environment,” he emphasised.
He pointed out that in addition to partnering with JET to
commemorate International Coastal Cleanup Day annually, the TEF is currently engaged
in a project to replant corals in an attempt to regenerate the island’s coral
reefs. This forms part of their wider effort to preserve the environment and
support those who do.
“We partner with NGOs such as JET, where we support and sponsor
campaigns promoting eco-friendliness such as ‘Nuh Dutty up Jamaica’. We also
partner with the Ministry of Tourism to promote their eco-friendly programme in
schools,” Dr. Wallace said.
He informed that the TEF will be financing the procurement of a
recycling truck for Negril in the upcoming year.
