Youth Lead the Way to Plastic-Free SKB

On November 9, 2023, Parliament convened to take tangible action on the issue of environmental protection. The nation’s youth are leading the way as the St Kitts National Youth Parliament Association convened its annual Mock Parliament Sitting debating the Bill entitled SKNYPA Environmental Protection: Restriction on Single Use Plastics Bill 2023.

The conversation hinged on arguments for and against the prohibition of single-use plastic items and a levy to regulate the distribution of plastic beverage containers. The Bill was entirely drafted by young parliamentarians. It is admirable for its comprehensive take on the issue and its attention to the nuances of such a policy. It seems the island’s young people discovered a path to environmental protection. And if so what might be preventing its large-scale adoption?

THE GOVERNMENT

The debate was opened by the mover of the Bill, Honourable Prime Minister Desean Newman. His remarks focused on the bill's importance to a vulnerable Small Island Developing State like ourselves. He recognized that climate change is not something that required future planning but currently preoccupied the minds of those already impacted. By referring to the rivers in Cayon that have dried up, he related the issue to our everyday struggle with chronic water insecurity. Despite painting this grim picture, Prime Minister Newman rounded out his remarks with optimism. He spoke of proposed renewable energy projects such as a wind farm, and solar farm in the Basseterre Valley in addition to strides toward building a recycling plant in the Federation.

Prime Minister Newman giving the opening statements

Most importantly, the debate's opening statements called on our leaders to be proactive against this crisis. He called on an immediate need to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels which costs the island about 30 million in fuel imports. He also called for immediate investment in hurricane-resistant infrastructure and desalination plants to provide much-needed adaptation to the effects of climate change already being experienced by citizens.

After his broad opening remarks, it was up to the rest of the government bench to solidify why this bill was for the benefit of the people of the federation.

Deputy Prime Minister Nisbett talks about plastic pollution.

The following statement focused more directly on how the bill sought to address plastic pollution and its effects on the environment of the Federation. Honourable Warren Nisbett, Minister responsible for [this this and this], asked cabinet members to reflect on the unnoticed but important role that plastic shopping bags and single-use plastics play in our daily lives. A survey from the Ministry of Environment found that the average household stores 40 bags at home.

While our culture of reusing plastic bags is commendable, saving plastic bags in the kitchen drawer for second use, it is not enough to reduce pollution. Minister Newman described a scene we are all too familiar with, our natural landscape choked with plastic bags and bottles,  in trees, fences, lying on the ground and littering beaches.

Most recycling facilities cannot recycle plastic bags and recycling streams contaminated with them are rejected. The global recycling rate is between 15-5% however in St Kitts the number is closer to 1%. Therefore there is a hidden price carried on plastic pollution. There needs to be a greater adoption of durable reusable bags in the Federation. Even if shoppers do carry reusable bags, many baggers automatically use plastic bags, making it awkward to reject. There also needs to be a ban on single use cutlery and single use plastic and styrofoam cups and plates to prevent to pollution of our natural environment.

Minister Smith advocates for ban on plastic.

While it is not necessary to go through each point made by the government bench there was a particularly relevant which deserves special consideration made by Schezneque Smith, Minister of Sustainable Development and Environment. Minister Smith spoke about the impact of micro-plastics and food contamination, national obesity rate.

Scientific study done about obesity in the Netherlands in 2018 pointed to micro-plastic chemicals as a contributing factor to obesity. The research discovered that the chemicals in micro-plastics reduced fatty acid metabolism and increased cortisol, increasing the likelihood of developing obesity. Micro-plastics can also contaminate soil and reduce agricultural productivity and contaminate produce. The United Nations has estimated that there is approximately 47 metric tonnes of micro-plastic currently existing inside marine birds, fish, turtles and other ocean life that may eventually end up in human consumption.

As a country currently battling high rates of obesity and a rising health epidemic of non-communicable lifestyle diseases, reducing plastic pollution is an important step towards creating a healthy nation. Therefore the government should mobilise quickly to ensure that our Federation is protected through the limitation of the use of single-use plastics.

THE OPPOSITION

Leader of the Opposition, MP Edwards-Douglas

However obvious the benefits of a plastic ban are, the debate also brought forward some compelling arguments against the proposed strategies. The Leader of the Opposition, Vikell Edwards Douglas, drove this point home, that well intentioned legislation is not automatically a 'cure-all' for the problems we face.

The opposition asked the government bench and viewers at home to consider the borad impacts that that this legislation might have and who might be inadvertently negatively affected. He called for equitable enaction. He pointed our that should a law be implemented, it would require rigourous enforcement, effective monitoring , and the abundant resources that would be needed to overcome any implementation challenges. He pointed to nations like India and Rwanda who have implemented plastic bans but struggle to uphold compliance within their boundaries.

The Opposition Leader also raised concerns with the potential economic repercussions this bill would have on businesses. Non-compliance fines will disproportionately affect small businesses. The world bank estimates that 90% of all businesses are small businesses. He argues that the $7500 compliance fee entailed in the bill may cause hardship to businesses and cause closures. He used a local anecdote about boiled nuts packaged in a single use plastic, a single mother small business vendor.

One of the his critiques is about arguably one of the most progressive and ambitious parts o the bill which is its section targeting greenwashing. However standards of sustainability can be left up to interpretation and manufacturing vendors could mislead clients into non-compliance he pointed out. The only way to prevent this was the clear determination of industry standards and scientific testing required to standardize and prevent greenwashing. All things that would be costly for businesses and the government to undertake.

In conclusion he called the bill, “an unguided child," referring to the bills innocence and good intentions which without any guidance will remain just that - good intentions.

In Conclusion...

Both bills brought compelling arguments to the floor in favour of an against the implementation of a ban against single-use plastics within the Federation. Minister of Youth and Creative Economy, Lashayna henseley’s presentation highlighted the importance of conducting a debate such as this one in the first place. She spoke abouit the importance of Environmental education and sustainable practice in education to create a generation of environmental stewards. Knowing consequences incentivize them to adopt sustainable practices and to encourage family and community to join. Make them more responsible, environmental clubs. She also reiterated the importance of Private-public partnerships and including thec private sector in conversations about sustainability within the Federation.

As a fellow SKNYPARIAN I am very proud of the initiative that we young people are taking on the issue of plastic pollution. While policy is never perfect it is the first step required to addresing and tackling a grave issue in the Federation.

Anyone tempted not to care or to look on this issue impartially should remember that as a small island state reliant on tourism, our natural environment is one of our most important resources and it is therefore our responsibility to protect it if we should hope to continue living on this island. Plastic choked gouts create flooding in the College street ghout and other rural areas. Garbage at national sites such as Black Rocks makes it unappealing to visiting tourists. Therefore for whatever reason, it must be recognised that this is an issue crucial to our government. While young people have taken the charge it is up to our leaders to enact measures to adequately protect our health, economy, environment and future.