A presentation was made on Wednesday March 11 to demonstrate that Anguilla can really go GREEN and do its part in saving the environment. The dangers of plastic, the importance of reusable bags and the many products now available that are biodegradable, were presented to grocery owners, restaurateurs and retailers under the theme “Yes you can say no to harmful plastics.”

Elaine Christopher from Good2Go with some of the biodegradable products

The event was put on jointly by the Soroptimist Club, the Anguilla National Trust, the National Energy Committee and the Anguilla Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The evening started with a slide show depicting the Dangers of Plastic Bags and the alternatives. It showed the many problems created in the environment especially in the ocean and also showed the many countries that have a ban on plastic bags. Brenda Carty, representing the Soroptimists, spoke about the Club’s campaign to reduce the use of plastic bags and the importation of reusable bags that have been supplied to all the grocery stores. She commented that working with Government, the Club is hoping that a tax or ban will be placed on plastic bags and the reusable and biodegradable bags imported without duty.

David Carty, Chairman of the Anguilla Renewable Energy committee, commended the Soroptimist Club of Anguilla for its initiative in reducing the use of plastic bags. He spoke of the interconnection of the whole world and although we may think Anguilla is small it is still important in the global situation and the island must do its part in protecting the environment. He said that plans are being made for the Corito Landfill Site and he introduced Peter Reynolds who is working hard on these plans that will provide a holistic vision for the site incorporating different aspects of waste management. It all comes back to the environment, Carty stressed, and “At the end of the day, the environment wins and we win,” he noted.

A presentation of the alternatives from “Good2Go” from St Maarten by Elaine Christopher was very well received by the grocery, hoteliers and restaurateurs present. She showed all the biodegradable products available that she described as quite staggering and growing and improving almost on a weekly basis. All the products are made from corn, or bagasse from sugar cane and can be composted, put on a landfill site where they decompose when subjected to light and heat, or incinerated with no harmful gases resulting.

She showed biodegradable trash bags, grocery bags, lunch take away boxes, large covered plates, small plates, bowls, small containers, sushi trays, cups, napkins, cutlery and more. The clear items are made from corn and the plates and trays from bagasse. She said that the latter can replace anything made of paper. The items are all safe to be frozen or micro-waved and this too is a big advantage.

Good2Go imports the items and will take orders from Anguilla. Although slightly more expensive than the plastic and Styrofoam goods the prices are going down all the time. The Anguilla National Trust will be facilitating orders here and already has a good stock that persons can purchase. The more that the two islands import the lower the prices will be and Christopher is looking into importing directly from China instead of via the United States and this too will bring down the cost.

David Carty is encouraging businesses to support the initiative and at the same time support the Anguilla National Trust as this can also help the environment through the work that they do. “It is easier for a small island population to go “Green” and it would be a very positive step for the island,” commented Peter Reynolds.

The event was chaired by Beth Berry of the Renewable Energy Office who encouraged everyone to use the reusable bags and biodegradable products. Attendees each received a reusable bag and samples of the biodegradable products.

The average citizen can help by demanding biodegradable products at takeaway restaurants and by taking reusable bags to the grocery. Also the next time you are having a party make sure to go to the National Trust to purchase biodegradable plates and cups.

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