Diario Libre is raising the red flags after the Senate passed a bill that would modify the recently passed Residual Wastes Law. The amendment would authorize foam packaging manufacturers to add an additive (Eco-One) that would eventually make the packaging somewhat biodegradable. Around 5 to 15% of the product would disintegrate in adequate disposal conditions in 30 days.
The Dominican Republic, like most of the world, confronts a major problem with plastic waste, including foam packaging. The recent rains revealed gushes of gully waters dragging mountains of plastics. Likewise, the scullies on city streets are constantly filled with the plastic trash.
Environmentalists and even the Ministry of Environment officials say they were not consulted for the drafting of the bill that passed in the Senate. The bill has yet to move to the Chamber of Deputies.
Environmentalist Nelson Bautista of Acción Verde highlights that the honorable legislators seem to forget that in the Dominican Republic, there is a scant culture of the fulfillment of quality controls, and more so in the field of plastics. He explains so far there is little or no progress in matters of extended responsibility of the producer (outside of greenwashing) even on issues mandated by Residual Waste Law 225-20 which is now in its third year.
“It is unfair, unsustainable and unacceptable that we continue to play with time to solve the enormous plastics crisis. The response must be resounding and forceful; we cannot take half measures and play along with the four or five families that own that business, he said. “They should be banned within no more than two years!” concludes Bautista in his remarks to Diario Libre.
Read more in Spanish:
Diario Libre
22 November 2023