In charge of the environment, the territorial advisor Pascale Laborde intervened at the end of the meeting of the Territorial Council, on September 24, in order to sensitize the population to environmental protection and present the public actions that will be carried out in the coming weeks to this end. . The President of the Collectivity welcomed this action and encouraged everyone to join in this collective dynamic.
Since March 2019, the European Parliament has voted a law against single-use plastic. In all the countries of the European Union, single-use plastic objects (cutlery, plates, straws, cotton swabs, coffee stirrers, food containers and expanded polystyrene cups) will be definitively banned from January 2021.
Saint-Martin decided to act without waiting !
As Councilor Pascale Laborde recalled during the meeting, “despite the 2016 law, some businesses continue to distribute disposable plastic bags even though it is strictly prohibited. Plastic packaging for fruits and vegetables, which has been banned from the shelves since January 1, 2017, is still used in certain businesses, as are plastic objects (disposable dishes, cotton swabs, plastic straws, etc.) which do not should no longer be offered for sale since January 1, 2020. We are also seeing new pollution appear with the Covid19 crisis: that of disposable masks, wipes, gloves, containers of hydroalcoholic gel. ".
Pascale Laborde who believes that it is time to take this problem head-on and to implement the law of February 10, 2020 as of today in Saint-Martin.
It's time to change the way we consume and make the transition from single-use plastic to recycled plastic and biodegradable materials. Some local businesses have already taken the plunge, providing paper bags, reusable containers, straws and biodegradable containers. Their civic behavior must be an example for others!
The community calls for the responsibility of every citizen!
For Pascale Laborde, if we hear too often that the island is dirty, it is advisable to ask the right questions: "Who is dirty?" The population, the neighbor, oneself? "
Admittedly, the community is experiencing a certain delay in relaunching public contracts for waste reception centers and selective sorting, but all the other services are functioning: collection of household waste 7 days a week, collection of bulky items 7 days a week and free admission. Cul de Sac ecosite for storing most bulky items. Solutions exist and it is therefore above all a question of good citizenship and respect for the environment. Beyond the civic sense that some have lost and others have not yet acquired, we produce too much waste! Everyone can therefore act at their own level to reduce their production.
An intervention in the field to educate users
The Collectivity will set up actions in the field to raise awareness among traders and help them find economically viable alternatives to replace plastic containers with recyclable or biodegradable containers. Secondly, more coercive means will be put in place to force those who refuse to respect the law.
Like the other Caribbean islands, Saint-Martin is also able to say stop to single-use plastic DEFINITELY!
In order to achieve this goal, the Collectivity offers the following actions:
• A decree from the President to support the application of the law in Saint-Martin
• An awareness campaign against pollution
• A calendar of actions and steps to be taken to change behavior
The intervention of the environment brigade for reminders of the law
More coercive action by asking judicial authorities to enforce the law.
Reinforced cooperation will be solicited from the government of Sint Maarten to:
Achieve the ban on the import of single-use plastics throughout the island
Set up joint awareness-raising actions
Work towards enhanced cooperation for the protection of our environment
Protecting the environment is a major asset for the harmonious development of our territory. It is also a way of working for the well-being of future generations.
The Collectivity of Saint-Martin and its elected officials invite you to act alongside them today, to protect our living environment and the well-being of Saint-Martin residents of today and tomorrow.
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