Dear Editor,
Plastic bags are convenient and affordable, which makes their usage commonplace. Over one trillion plastic bags are used worldwide every year. The problem is they last in the environment for hundreds of years, shredding into even smaller pieces but never fully breaking down.
In our country, plastic bags end up as waste, landfill or litter, and contribute to greenhouse gases, clog up drains, litter streets, streams and eventually the sea. Our national attitude to throw away plastic bags on the sidewalks, beaches, and wherever we feel like is not helpful, either. We do not realise that these plastic bags cause the death of many marine animals (fish, sea turtles, etc), every year, when animals mistake them for food.
When plastics break down, they do not biodegrade; they photodegrade. They break down into tiny pieces which attract and accumulate toxins that then enter the food chain. Given the multitude of problems associated with plastic bags, many countries are either banning or taxing plastic bags. At least 16 African countries have announced bans on certain types of plastic bags to varying levels of effectiveness. Many European countries tax plastic bags and many US states have banned them. One of the most well-known bag measures is Ireland's national bag tax, adopted in 2002. It was the first to charge consumers directly. Within five months of the measure's introduction, bag usage fell by over 90 per cent. Litter was greatly reduced as well. Plastic bag pollution should be a growing environmental concern for our Government. GOJ should tax plastic bags and all money from the plastic bag tax should go directly the environment ministry for use in enforcement and clean-up projects. Such initiatives will also give teeth to the "Nuh Dutty Up Jamaica" campaign.
For those of us who do not want to pay such a tax: bring your own bag (BYOB).
Tashfeen Ahmad
St Andrew
mrtashfeen@hotmail.com
Tax the use of plastics
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Plastic bags are convenient and affordable, which makes their usage commonplace. Over one trillion plastic bags are used worldwide every year. The problem is they last in the environment for hundreds of years, shredding into even smaller pieces but never fully breaking down.
In our country, plastic bags end up as waste, landfill or litter, and contribute to greenhouse gases, clog up drains, litter streets, streams and eventually the sea. Our national attitude to throw away plastic bags on the sidewalks, beaches, and wherever we feel like is not helpful, either. We do not realise that these plastic bags cause the death of many marine animals (fish, sea turtles, etc), every year, when animals mistake them for food.
When plastics break down, they do not biodegrade; they photodegrade. They break down into tiny pieces which attract and accumulate toxins that then enter the food chain. Given the multitude of problems associated with plastic bags, many countries are either banning or taxing plastic bags. At least 16 African countries have announced bans on certain types of plastic bags to varying levels of effectiveness. Many European countries tax plastic bags and many US states have banned them. One of the most well-known bag measures is Ireland's national bag tax, adopted in 2002. It was the first to charge consumers directly. Within five months of the measure's introduction, bag usage fell by over 90 per cent. Litter was greatly reduced as well. Plastic bag pollution should be a growing environmental concern for our Government. GOJ should tax plastic bags and all money from the plastic bag tax should go directly the environment ministry for use in enforcement and clean-up projects. Such initiatives will also give teeth to the "Nuh Dutty Up Jamaica" campaign.
For those of us who do not want to pay such a tax: bring your own bag (BYOB).
Tashfeen Ahmad
St Andrew
mrtashfeen@hotmail.com
Tax the use of plastics
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