Today’s report by the St. Maarten Nature Foundation (see related story) comes as no big surprise. Plastic and other trash are strewn all over the island and some of it eventually ends up in the sea or various lagoons, including Fresh Pond.
Educating the public to properly dispose of their rubbish so it does not harm the environment as much is a noble, but – as it turns out – difficult task. Parliament in November 2020 unanimously approved a draft National Ordinance banning single-use plastic bags, straws and Styrofoam containers effective July 1, 2021.
However, one can’t help but wonder about its execution, because while some businesses complied, many others have not. Government at the time announced working on an implementation plan, but it’s been seven months since.
Too many of these items still litter the local landscape despite frequent roadside cleaning, which is also bad for the tourism economy. Although there is a maximum fine of 1,000 Netherlands Antillean guilders or prison term of 6 months for violations, without active enforcement that alone won’t deter most offenders.
A special control team may be needed to give this law some real teeth in practice and set some examples, so it can also make a more significant impact. Judging by what can be seen until now, a lot remains to be done in that regard.
