Dear Editor,
THE proposal by the Department of the Environment (DoE) to ban single-use plastics is a brilliant idea to promote a ‘clean and green’ Guyana and to a large extent, a better world.
Single-use plastic cannot be recycled; when it is discarded as waste, it does not break down and remains as a permanent pollutant in the environment. For example, a candy wrapper will take at least 100 years to decompose. In fact, it is felt that every bit of plastic ever made is still in existence.

It is therefore clear that such material has no place in Guyana where, despite the emergence of environmentally damaging practices, our God-given gift of a fresh, beautiful and harmonious natural environment is still largely intact.
I was encouraged by Minister of State Joseph Harmon’s speech at State House to mark Earth Day 2018 because, in no uncertain terms, he reiterated government’s commitment to protecting Guyana’s environment. Now it is time for government to turn these words into action by enacting strong laws to protect the environment, such as a ban on single-use plastic.

A lot of harmful things were invented and came into popular use and were even considered blessings. People were completely unaware that they were dangerous to the environment and did not know the severity of their impact. Take DDT for example, which can still be found in our water system and earth and causes the death of many babies, including my mother’s first daughter at the Skeldon Hospital. People gravitated to these things because of convenience and cheapness, but these qualities are minuscule compared with the costs of the extreme harm they cause to the environment and to human lives.
We now know the serious threat they present, but having knowledge without acting on that knowledge is futile. That is why it is important to support any progressive moves by the government of the day to protect the environment. It is also necessary to put pressure on them to ensure that they transform their verbal commitments into positive action.
Furthermore, if Guyana is to succeed in becoming an environmentally friendly nation, the people have to do their part by limiting or ceasing the use of products—such as plastic bags– that destroy the environment. Years ago, everything we package in plastic bags today used to be packaged in material that did not destroy the environment, such as paper bags.

There was a time when almost every household item used to be bought or sold in bio-degradable cardboard boxes and paper bags. Cardboard, paper and even wood are still readily available; why can’t we go back to using them instead of harmful plastics and other modern materials? Can’t we go back to using more glass bottles which the beverage companies can sterilise and reuse?
Plastic that finds its way into the ocean do great harm to our marine life and to our birds that feed on fish. Every year, a number of fish and aquatic animals such as seals, whales and turtles die from becoming entangled with plastic and from ingesting plastic, which chokes them or causes other internal injuries. Even birds that feed on fish are affected when they ingest tiny bits of plastic.
While in the ocean, plastics also absorb dangerous chemicals and also release toxic chemicals, which in turn enter the food chain when fish mistake the pieces of plastic for food.

It is shameful and hurtful to me personally to see the vast amounts of smelly, unsightly plastic waste that is being carelessly disposed of all over the country.
After careful consideration, it seems the campaign for hemp growth in Guyana and for hemp products is truly an excellent idea under the circumstances of the destruction of our country and our plight. Hemp is ready for harvesting after just 120 days. The seeds are used to make paint, varnish, ink, detergent and fuel and even bio-degradable plastic.
Plastic garbage is accumulating dangerously in all our waterways, drains, canals and even at the seawall. It is high time to take firm action to stop this. It is also an eyesore.
There is none so blind as he who will not see. There will be some persons among us who cannot see or will not see the good sense of using environmentally safe items, instead of poisonous or dangerous ones. Others who know quite well that these things are harmful, will use them anyway for selfish reasons

To keep such persons in check, we need to ban harmful items or tax them heavily. As such, people who do not give a damn about the environment and wish to continue using pollutants and hazardous materials will have to consider the serious penalties they would incur– financially and otherwise — if they want to pollute the land and endanger people’s health.

Minister of Business with responsibility for Tourism, Dominic Gaskin, has spoken about government’s goal to reduce or eliminate plastic waste by 2020. Therefore, I expect government to put appropriate incentives in place to reward ‘green’ businesses and also offer concessions such as soft loans or tax breaks to bring new ‘green’ businesses on stream.

This would go a long way to show investors the business community and the public at large that government is sincere about creating a ‘clean and green’ Guyana. There are persons with the means and know-how to move the nation forward in this area, if government gives positive support, especially by providing suitable incentives.

For example, I am the founder of RK’s Eco-star Motors that offers the public affordable, reliable and sturdy three-wheel vehicles, which are more environmentally friendly than any comparable vehicle on the market, because they can be used without burning an ocean of fossil-fuel (100 miles per gallon). We also have electric three-wheelers for cargo and passengers, but the market is not moving with the vision of the undersigned.
Imagine how much government can reduce Guyana’s ‘carbon footprint’ by promoting the use of these fuel-efficient vehicles in vital sectors of the economy. Imagine how much added value businesspersons and patriots like me can give to the ‘greening’ of Guyana if government would facilitate and support more green business projects.
I believe that government is truly committed to protecting the environment and I look forward to the passage of a Bill in Parliament banning the one-use plastics and even going further by implementing duties and taxes to discourage the importation, manufacture and consumption of environmentally harmful materials.

I also call on the government to give more support and guidance to businesses that promote environmental protection. I am ready, willing and able to accept such support from government and do my bit to protect the environment of my beloved Guyana.
Apart from taking bold steps to save the environment, I have also noted government’s efforts to enhance and showcase Guyana by selecting symbols of nationhood. I am referring to the Carifesta carriageway, the Kitty roundabout, erecting arches and more.
These are excellent initiatives and I hope to see more.

Regards
Roshan Khan (Snr)