The Caribbean country joins the fight against plastic
At the beginning of last May, Capri announced that it was banning plastics indefinitely . Following in the footsteps of the Italian island, the government of the Bahamas has decided to join the cause and implement a zero tolerance policy with this polluting material.
This resolution, which aims preserve endemic fauna and flora , will become effective as of January 1, 2020, the use and import of **single-use plastics (straws, kitchen utensils and bags) **, as well as the Polystyrene foam throughout the archipelago.
Plastic, as reported in its Web page , will be replaced by bamboo, paper and other disposable plant-based materials.
Many animals die drowned by plastic waste in the sea
In turn, the Ministry of Environment will also take steps to ban helium balloons, that end up in the oceans, harming marine life and, consequently, our health.
Sustainability has always been part of the Bahamian culture. In fact, many **hotels, bars and restaurants** they had already anticipated to this decision, here Some examples:
- Tiamo Resort : Since 2018, this hotel has been part of the project “Unique lodge” National Geographic, through which he committed to implement ecological actions , approved and controlled through two surprise inspections a year.
For reduce plastic consumption , in 2019 they incorporated reusable stainless steel straws , which are washed and sterilized with biological products; bioplastic garbage bags (made with corn starch, a renewable raw material and 100% compostable) ; and eliminated the plastic teaspoons.
Your next step towards environmental protection? They will offer their guests stainless steel canteens , which can be filled at the hotel bar, thus ending the purchase of plastic bottles. will also be replaced the amenities of the bathrooms by dispensers.
-Atlantis Paradise Island: this resort, in addition to doing away with plastic straws, has also opted for optimize composting . For this, it has introduced in its facilities disposable food containers and cups made of paper. In 2020, the lodge plans to increase the number of drinking fountains.
-Bon Vivants: this coquettish cafeteria, just opened in Nassau , is defined as "green". biodegradable coffee cups, bottled water in glass containers , paper straws, Jojo Cups (reusable cups) and the use of coffee grounds as fertilizer for the garden of aromatic herbs are some of the reasons.
-Louis & Steen's: if you bring your own container At this ecological cafeteria, the price of the drink you consume will be lower. And of course plastic straws are banned.
It will be from December 31 when the importation into the country of the prohibited items will cease. After that moment, companies will have a transition period of 6 months to dispose of your stock before fines come in effective July 1, 2020 , in accordance with section 4 of the Environment Protection Act 2019.
Louis & Steen's Coffee Shop
Once the law is published, the project will be open to public comments , that you can send your concerns and suggestions to [email protected].
Thanks to this decision, the Bahamas they join the much-needed **anti-plastic movement** of which they are already a part more of 40 countries , including areas of USA , ** United Kingdom **, ** Denmark **, Ireland , Kenya, Rwanda or Haiti.
What if we join the change?