The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in celebration of Earth Day 2020, conducted a virtual consultation on the impending ban on single-use plastics using ‘Facebook Live’ on April 22. Guyana will be joining a global concerted effort to ban single-use plastics in 2021, due to their impacts on human health, marine biodiversity, and the environment.
The session aimed to educate the public on the impending ban on single-use plastics, and garner feedback on areas of concern relative to the ban. Discussions were mainly centred around the availability of alternatives to single-use plastics, and timelines for implementation of the ban.
The activity was well received; and, given the positive feedback, the Agency will be conducting follow-up sessions relative to the ban, as well as other matters of public interest relevant to the function and mandate of the Agency.
Given the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the Agency has transitioned towards hosting its public consultations virtually since March 2020. We have not only increased our social media presence, but also extended our radio and TV programmes, now having weekly radio interviews in Linden, Mabaruma and Lethem.
The Agency has, via Zoom and other platforms, also been conducting remote consultations with key stakeholders, including manufacturers, importers and the tourism sector. In the upcoming weeks, we will be meeting with stakeholders from financial institutions, hotels, restaurants and bars.
Additionally, on Saturday April 25, 2020, we will be launching our Public Survey on the Proposed Single-Use Plastics Ban virtually on the EPA–Guyana Facebook Page.
The Agency is making every effort to meet with as many stakeholders as possible, including members of the public and importers and manufacturers of single-use plastics and/or alternatives.
We encourage you to contact us if you have feedback to provide. Please send an email at [email protected] or [email protected] , follow us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: The Environmental Protection Agency, C/O Communications Department, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: [email protected] or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and You Tube.
