On the occasion of St. Maarten Flavors, the first annual gastronomy festival which takes place throughout the month of November in the Dutch part, the organizers invite participants to use, as far as possible, reusable kitchen utensils and recyclable. This can indeed serve as a dress rehearsal for January 1, 2023, when the government announced a ban on plastic and polystyrene items.
This is according to an internal email sent to participating restaurants by the Sint Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association (SHTA), supported by key supporters of St. Maarten Flavors, the Sint Maarten Tourism Board and PDG Supplies.
47 restaurants and bars now participate in the St. Maarten Flavors program, offering residents and visitors three-course dinners for $49 and one-course dinners and cocktails for $17,50. With the plastic ban coming into force next January, organizers see November as a unique time to experiment with alternatives to waste streams. As many countries around the world have embarked on plastic bans and enforcement, the prices of sustainable alternatives have already come down significantly over time. However, as an incentive, PDG Supplies, who support the program, will offer biodegradable fiber products at a reduced price during the St. Maarten Flavors program to contribute to this cause.
Although a unanimous vote in parliament decided on a ban on plastic bags in July 2021, the application has not yet been implemented. This lack of enforcement makes wholesalers, restaurants and retailers reluctant to mass-order recyclable products that would make the price competitive with single-use plastic, as competitors less motivated by change are advantaged by the use of plastic and polystyrene without retaliation. The government has promised to apply the 2021 law from 2023.
The tourist office has carried out anti-littering campaigns on the beaches of Sint Maarten but approves of better solving this problem at the source. In turn, at its last annual regional trade show in Saint-Martin (SMART), the SHTA highlighted green initiatives through a “green room” located in a strategic location, allowing free access to all suppliers. that make Saint-Martin's tourist economy more sustainable. _AF
You can visit www.stmaartenflavors.com or email events@shta.com for more information.
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