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 | |
| 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 |