Govt to support national recycling effort

Minister of Environment and National Beautification Adrian Forde has voiced deep concern over the persistent problem of plastic waste clogging Barbados’ gullies and waterways. His comments came as he pledged full support for a new nationwide recycling initiative aimed at tackling the issue.

Speaking on Monday morning at the official launch of the Every Bottle Back initiative in Queen’s Park, Minister Forde described the situation as an environmental emergency. He said that through the ministry’s Gullies Are Life project—which focuses on biodiversity protection and gully clean-ups—teams have been pulling as many as 80 full garbage bags of waste from these ecosystems, much of it plastic bottles.

“It is important for us to do that which we must do to ensure that these plastics are controlled and that they can be used for this circular world. We know because we have had the problems as part of our Gullies are Life project.

“I am saying with a thrust like this that ensures that we have the receptacles to put those plastics in, then these numbers, fortunate for us, will be reduced. We must now be the architects responsible for the protection of our environment,” he explained.

The Every Bottle Back campaign aims to strengthen national efforts to reduce plastic pollution and promote recycling. As part of the initiative, eco-bins will be strategically placed across the island to make it easier for residents and visitors to dispose of plastic bottles responsibly.

Minister Forde also revealed that his ministry’s Project Management Coordinating Unit has developed a national plastic roadmap, which outlines a structured approach to reducing plastic waste and supporting a circular economy. According to him, the roadmap has already received Cabinet approval. 

(SB)