A GROUP OF non-governmental and community-based organisations has submitted a petition to the Government, calling for the urgent implementation of an effective recycling programme for the country.
The group, called the Coalition for the Protection of Environmental Rights (CPER), submitted the petition containing over 200 signatures to Dean Peart, Minister of Land and Environment. The petition called for the Government to implement legislation and financial incentives to encourage investment in recycling. The group also called for more discussions between civil society and the Government in matters relating to waste management policy.
The members of CPER say they are particularly concerned about the Government's failure to implement the environmental levy on packaging material, which was announced in 2003.
"The announcement of the levy resulted in a reduction of Recycle for Life's activities thereby severely curtailing recycling efforts," said Wendy Lee, executive director of Northern Jamaica Conservation Association (NJCA). "Since then, PET plastic bottles have been piling up everywhere and there is no effective programme to deal with them."
She noted that the group is concerned that the Government's failure to implement the levy is reversing progress made in establishing good recycling practices in schools and some communities.
REDUCED SOLID WASTE
Meanwhile, Chloe Hosang, executive director of the group Friends of the Sea, noted: "An effectively managed recycling programme will definitely reduce the volume of solid waste entering the sea - on which our tourism economy depends. Cleaner beaches, rivers and streams will also reduce waterborne diseases and contribute positively to the nation's health and social well-being."
The CPER is made up of groups from across the island. They are the: Gideon Educational Centre (Portland), International School of Jamaica (St. Mary), Harbour View Citizens Association (Kingston), Northern Jamaica Conservation Association (St. Ann), Oracabessa Fishermen's Association (St. Mary), Friends of the Sea (St. Ann), National Environmental Societies Trust (Kingston), and the Jamaica Environment Trust (Kingston).
