Beyond Plastic & KBB On New Legislation
Beyond Plastic Bermuda and Keep Bermuda Beautiful have both responded to the introduction of single-use plastic legislation in the House of Assembly.
Beyond Plastic Bermuda Statement
A spokesperson said, “Beyond Plastic Bermuda, a joint campaign of Keep Bermuda Beautiful [KBB] and the Bermuda Environmental Sustainability Taskforce [BEST], welcomes the introduction of single-use plastic [SUP] legislation in the House of Assembly on Friday and congratulates Minister Jache Adams on this important step forward. We believe the Minister is committed to doing what is right for the people of Bermuda.
“For more than five years, Beyond Plastic has worked alongside the Government, businesses, and the community to support Bermuda’s transition away from single-use plastics and toward safer, more sustainable alternatives. With 9 out of 10 pieces of litter collected across Bermuda identified as single-use plastic, the urgency of this issue is clear.
“BEST, Greenrock, KBB, and Beyond Plastic Bermuda have long called for import restrictions on single-use plastics, with advocacy efforts underway even prior to the 2018 Throne Speech, which first signalled this legislative direction. We are therefore encouraged to see this legislation introduced and look forward to its passage.
“However, we are disappointed that no specific products have yet been included in the schedule, despite extensive consultation and the passage of time. While we understand the complexities involved, Bermuda must now act quickly and align with global efforts to eliminate the most harmful and avoidable single-use plastics.
“This legislation is not intended to restrict all single-use plastics, and we support that approach. There are clearly essential uses, particularly in the medical field, where plastics may still be required. However, even within healthcare, there is increasing concern about the impacts of plastic exposure, particularly for vulnerable populations such as newborns.
“It is important that the public understands the full scope of this issue. Plastics are not only an environmental problem; they are also a climate, economic, social justice, and human health issue. Single-use plastics account for approximately half of global plastic production, and overall production is projected to double within the next two decades.
“The primary focus of this legislation should be on the biggest contributors to pollution and human exposure, namely, single-use plastics associated with takeaway food and everyday consumer use. These items represent a significant and avoidable source of environmental harm and human health risk. Even once restrictions are introduced, exposure to plastics will remain widespread, and we encourage individuals to reduce use wherever feasible.
“The costs of plastic pollution are already being borne by Bermudians. International research suggests that the health impacts alone may amount to tens of millions of dollars annually, potentially exceeding $100 million. These estimates do not include the wider environmental and economic costs. The World Wide Fund for Nature [WWF] estimates that the full lifecycle cost of plastics is at least ten times their initial cost. So while the cost of alternatives is a concern, it must be viewed within this broader context. The long-term costs to human health, the environment, and the economy far outweigh the short-term cost of change.
“Alternatives exist for all products under consideration, though they may require changes in suppliers, systems, and habits. Beyond Plastic Bermuda encourages the use of reusable options wherever feasible, noting that while change may involve some inconvenience, the benefits are substantial and long-lasting.
“Beyond Plastic Bermuda looks forward to participating in the consultation process and urges the public to engage. We encourage the Government to move as quickly as possible to introduce restrictions on high-impact items, including plastic bags, plastic food containers and trays, Styrofoam food containers, plastic-lined paper cups, plastic cups and plates, plastic cutlery, plastic-stemmed cotton buds, oxo-degradable plastics, and products containing microplastics, with a longer-term view toward reducing plastic drink bottles.
“The impacts of plastic pollution on human health and the environment continue every day that action is delayed. At the same time, we remind the public that change does not need to wait for legislation. Consumers have the power to drive this transition now through everyday choices.
“Nothing we use for a few minutes should pollute our planet forever.”
Keep Bermuda Beautiful Statement
In a separate statement, a KBB spokesperson said, “We commend the Government and Minister Jache Adams for bringing forward this important piece of legislation. It marks a meaningful step toward addressing one of Bermuda’s most visible and persistent environmental challenges. The reality is that the vast majority of litter found in Bermuda, and indeed around the world, is single-use plastic, and we see that reflected every day in the work we do.
“We look forward to seeing the first items added to the schedule as soon as possible and to participating in the consultation process to help ensure the legislation delivers real and lasting impact.
“I would like to recognise the incredible commitment of the Beyond Plastic Bermuda campaign team, who have contributed more than 10,000 hours over the past five years to education, advocacy, and community engagement. We are deeply grateful to Bacardi for their early support of the campaign, which helped make this progress possible.
“As we enter this next phase, we are inviting businesses to be part of the solution by joining our Beyond Plastic Champions programme. We also welcome new sponsors to support this work as we expand our outreach and help Bermuda transition away from single-use plastics.
“For those who want to see the impact first-hand, we encourage the community to join a KBB clean-up. Spending even an hour collecting litter makes it clear just how much of it is single-use plastic and why change is so urgently needed.
“This is a moment for collective action, and we encourage everyone, the government, businesses, and the community to play their part.”
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