The recent signing of the Environment Protection Regulations for the year 2020 signals the end to single-use plastics within the country of Belize. While this legislation will not see its enforcement begin immediately, people will have one year to phase out of using any sort of product that features plastics only good for a single-use. One year is seen as more than sufficient time for businesses to find and implement suitable plastic replacements for their business operations.
Godwin Hulse, Belize’s Minister of Environment (DoE), notes that Belize cannot continue to use single-use plastics if it hopes to keep its natural beauty for decades and centuries to come. Hulse went on to say that he did not want to panic Belizeans into thinking the DoE was coming after them. The concept comes first and that concept is that people need to be educated about how plastic can pollute the water, harm the Belize Barrier Reef and ruin facilities.
Hulse went on to comment about how plastic used to be perceived by the Belizean public of his youth. In Hulse’s time, a plastic bag was seen as a great multitasker for purposes like use as a school book bag. Hulse also commented on the past in order to highlight just how prevalent plastics have become within Belize in just a few decades to the point that they are a major problem.
The goal of the new ban is to remove Styrofoam and plastics in favor of materials like hemp, which is known for its biodegradability. The Belizean government is ready for the transition to more environmentally viable materials if only to curtail complaints that they would be more expensive; the real cost paid by the continued use of such materials is the loss of beauty Belize would suffer. Hulse believes that framing the discussion in this light will turn most Belizeans over to the idea of preferring renewable, multi-use materials.
Hulse closed his speech about the transition by stating that the Government of Belize fully supports those businesses that can create goods with non-plastic resources. Furthermore, it encourages other businesses to look through their operations in order to come up with workarounds to the phasing out of plastic.
As one of Belize’s leading resorts, Chabil Mar commends the effort at keeping Belize’s natural beauty intact. If you need a place to stay while visiting Belize, consider booking a villa with us.
For more information about Belize and Chabil Mar, chat with our Concierge at: concierge@chabilmarvillas.com or contact our Reservations Manager at: reservations@chabilmarvillas.com. Perhaps you would like to call toll free from the US or Canada: 1-866-417-2377.
