Students, adults, companies, governments, Churches, Unions, individuals, and NGOs are asked to unite in a commitment to prevent the end of all plastic products. For the sake of human and planetary health we should be demanding a 60% reduction in plastic production by 2040 and the ultimate goal of building a plastic-free future for future generations.
To achieve a 60% reduction by 2040; we must (1) Raise awareness of the damage caused by plastic to human, animal, and complete biodiversity health and demand further research on the health implications, disseminate all information on public effects. (2) Quickly eliminate all single-use plastics by 2030 and gradually phase out the United Nations treaty on plastic pollution by 2024. (3) Demand policies to put an end to the rapid spread of fast fashion and the use of large quantities of plastic. (4) Invest in technology and innovative materials to build a plastic-free world.
Plastic is more than just a serious environmental problem. It is a serious threat to human health as alarming as climate change. When plastics degrade, microorganisms release toxic chemicals into our food and water sources, which circulate in the air we breathe. Plastic production has increased by more than 380 million tons per year. In the last ten years, more plastic has been produced than in the entire 20th century, and the industry plans to continue growing indefinitely.
All of these plastics are produced by a “Petrochemical” factory with an abysmal history of toxic emissions, spills, and explosions. Plastic is produced in contaminated facilities that seem to always be located in the poorest neighborhoods. Some plastics are more lethal when burned. Other plastics transmit chemicals that alter hormones. All plastics can kill wildlife and suffocate marine life. At every stage of life cycle, from petroleum wells to dumps, plastic remains a dangerous plague.
Laws against plastic production
It can be recalled that in 2018, the Ministry of Spatial Development, Infrastructure and the Environment announced the introduction of a new law banning single-use disposable plastic products (including biodegradable and compostable ones), styrofoam products, and also banning products containing the chemical oxybenzone in sunscreen creams.
It was scheduled to enter into force on July 1, 2020, the Aruban Government has prepared this law to follow a process of awareness.
Regarding the enforcement of this law, the Ministry of Spatial Development, Infrastructure, and the Environment also took into consideration the concerns of the distributors. It will evaluate the enforcement of the law, taking into account the crisis our island is facing. The reason for this evaluation is that there has been a delay in the process of reducing materials that fall under environmentally harmful products, as stipulated in the law.
It is known that efforts have been made worldwide for many years to minimize the use of single-use plastic products.
Among other things, supermarkets have been banned from providing plastic bags at the time of purchase. The number of bags given depends on the amount of purchases made, defining the number of bags given. All of these bags, if not disposed of responsibly, have the possibility of ending up in our natural environment. They can be seen stuck in trees, in cacti, and sometimes even floating around. When these plastic bags end up in the dump, they can eventually be seen floating out into the sea surrounding our dump. According to studies, in the sea surrounding our dump at Parkietenbos, an unlimited amount of plastic bags has accumulated over the centuries and is causing enormous damage to our marine life.
Santa Rosa has also made changes.
Santa Rosa is also aware of the damage caused by plastic bags. Immediately, they began to search for solutions for the plastic bags we were using. Efforts were made to find reusable and biodegradable bags for our grease bags, fertilizer bags, and bin bags. Bags that do not cause damage to our environment. And if you happen to buy your grease bag for the first time from us at Santa Rosa, and you bring it back, you will get the next bag at a better price.
Let’s be more aware of the plastic products that cause enormous damage to our environment.
