A new initiative to discourage the use of plastic bags will be launched in Honiara on the 1st of October 2014.
The programme called “Alternative bags Pilot Program” is a joint initiative by the ministry of environment, Honiara city council, ministry of health and partners to discourage and reduce the use of plastic bags but use eco-bags.
Permanent secretary of the ministry of environment Dr Melchior Mataki said the program was part of the initiative to promote good waste management practices with the focus of reducing use of plastic bags at the market and when doing shopping.
Dr Mataki said this program is part of the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) Pilot projects implemented under the Japanese technical cooperation project for Promotion of Regional Initiatives on Solid Waste Management (J-PRISM) in Solomon islands.
The launch of the program will be held at the central market followed with awareness raising and distribution of IEC materials to help the public understand and take some responsibility in reducing waste.
The use of plastic bags in the country has been worrying which contributes a lot to environmental pollution that poses threat to humans, animals and the environment.
Authorities have seen the need for quick intervention in the use of plastic bags since it has become a serious waste issue in Honiara and other urban centres throughout the country.
The big message this project highlights is” Waste is Everybody’s Business. Be responsible. Practice REDUCES, REUSE and RECYCLE. Help clean and save our environment.”
Meanwhile the public has been urged to reduce their use of plastic bags and help protect the environment by using eco-bags instead.
By DANIEL NAMOSUAIA
