Plastic straws cause more land and marine degradation than we know and think.   

I am asking you to stand in solidarity with me to bring to the attention of the Honourable Camille Robinson-Regis M.P.- Minister of Planning and Sustainable Development the need to ban plastic straws in Trinidad and Tobago.

Several Caribbean countries have already responded with bold actions and bans on plastic consumption have been increasing globally within the last two years.

On 30th May Chile became the first South American country to ban single-use plastic bags.
In early 2018, Panama became the first country to ban polythene bags in Central America. Likewise, Costa Rica adopted a national plan to combat marine litter by 2021.

Antigua and Barbuda banned the import of single use plastic bags last July, while St. Vincent and the Grenadines banned styrofoam products in May 2016 and removed import tax on biodegradable packaging and food containers.

Guyana has also banned styrofoam and the import of used tyres.

Belize, most recently, moved to ban single use plastics by 2019.

Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands have banned single use plastic products.

Haiti leads the Caribbean in these efforts. The island-nation has banned the use of plastic bags and styrofoam products in 2012.

The plastic threat is real and must be addressed now. Governments are recognizing the issues associated with the use of plastics and are taking immediate steps to correct and put measures in place. But we the people must also ACT now.