More work for ‘bottle police’

The redemption of cash for the return of plastic bottles is expected to become a reality by June under the much talked about deposit refund scheme.

Persons are expected be paid a minimum of $1 for each polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or high-density polyethylene bottle delivered to Recycling Partners of Jamaica depots across the island.

"I believe we are going to see significant support from the country, just like we have with the glass bottle," Minister of Housing, Urban Renewal, Environment and Climate Change Pearnel Charles Jr told THE STAR.

Jamaicans use approximately 800 million plastic bottles each year, but only a mere 20 per cent is being recycled. Environmental interests have been advocating for the country to launch a deposit refund scheme for plastic bottles for years to help reduce littering and increase recycling. Participating members of the private sector in the deposit refund scheme in 2019 instituted a self-imposed cess of $1 per bottle to help fund the programme.

"I feel positive about the move because of the mechanism behind it," Charles Jr. said. "People will be gaining a revenue, and our public education on the issue will also be a booster because people will understand why it is important."

POLLUTION

"It will also encourage people to collect the bottles, which will in turn increase employment and decrease plastic waste pollution," the minister said.

Although led by the private sector, the deposit refund scheme represents another aspect of Jamaica's push to reduce and reuse plastics. There is already a ban on single-use plastic such as scandal bags, and single-use plastic drinking straws that are attached to juice boxes or drink pouches have been banned.

Making reference to bans previously placed on other plastic items and the overwhelmingly positive feedbacks from citizens, Charles Jr. said he is confident that the deposit refund scheme will be successful.

"There has been such a widespread of support and persons showing responsibility in getting their own bags to carry to the supermarket and operators investing in and changing out plastic bags," he said.

"The government is actively finding ways to get rid of the influx of plastic food containers those that have entered the domestic market," he said. "We will also continue to review the situation as it relates to our plastic ban and to identify plastic products that need to be regulated in an effort to protect public health and the environment."