WHAT CAN THE TOURISM SECTOR DO TO CONTRIBUTE TO A CLEAN AND GREEN BELIZE?

On 20 March 2018, Cabinet approved a phase-out of single-use plastic by 2019 with the objective of reducing the amount of plastics that enter Belize’s waste stream and polluting our environment, transitioning to biodegradable products, and protecting human health from the negative effects of plastic pollution.

What will be phased out?

The phase-out approved on 20 March 2018 targets single-use disposable plastics and Styrofoam products. The specific products to be phased-out are:

single-use disposable carrier bags – commonly referred to as plastic shopping bags – “t-shirt” bags

Single-use disposable plastics containers and eating utensils such as plates, cups, straws, spoons, forks, and knives

Single-use disposable Styrofoam containers and eating utensils such as clamshells, plates, cups, spoons, forks and knives

Styrofoam pellets used in manufacturing of Styrofoam containers and eating utensils such as clamshells, plates, cups, spoons, forks and knives

How will the phase out be executed?

On July 2018, an implementation plan for the phase out was completed focusing on five areas:

Reduce and Prohibit Single Use Plastic

a reduction in the volume of single-use disposable plastics and styrofoam becoming waste via regulatory restrictions on importation, production, manufacturing, sale, and possession, through amendments to the Pollution Regulations under the Environmental Protection Act

Better data on single use plastic

improve national data quality to aid decision-making and the development of policy for strengthening and promoting the recycling, agro-productive and manufacturing sectors

Promote green products

transition to using Greener (environmentally-friendly) products, by promoting investment, research and development, production and importation

Promote Ownership

engendering national ownership and pride in transitioning to green products

Monitor

monitoring and evaluating Belize’s transition to green products via tracking changes in: importation and production practices, waste stream composition, and consumption habits, attitudes and perceptions relating to single-use disposable plastics and styrofoam products

Suppliers

Below is a list of companies that supply biodegradable alternatives to plastic. This list is constantly updated. If you supply biodegradables, kindly send an email to eddie.herrera@tourism.gov.bz with your details.

NAME CONTACT PERSON ADDRESS PHONE EMAIL
Plastic Packaging Supplies Ltd David Heredia 4 Tigris St Belize City Belize 2273807 dherediapackaging@gmail.com
Eco-Friendly Solutions Luis Garcia 3 ½ Miles, George Price Highway, Belize City 2225083/6157718 shangriecofriendly@yahoo.com; ecoproject@yahoo.com

 

The Added Touch Robin McCutcheon Corner Cleghorn and Bakadeer Streets, Belize City 223-0054 addedtouchhotelsupplies@gmail.com

 

Castellanos Imports Luis Miguel Castellanos #72 George Price Highway, Benque Viejo, Cayo 6146878 castellanosimports@gmail.com

 

Madisco Maria Gonzalez 1894-5 Clghorn St, Belize City 224-4158 hospitalitysales@madisco.bz

 

Nature Plast (Mexico) Benjamin Lo and Edmond Lo Parcel 475, Vista Del Mar , Belize City 610-3152 ben@bakabush.com

Quick Guides for Reducing Single-Use Plastic