Dear Editor,
My husband and I have been coming to this beautiful island for over 25 years, and have made some lifelong friends here. We are on island presently (April 20), and pray that progress will be made to overcome Irma, and unite everyone with one purpose.
But, looking at the smoking dump every day, it brings us back to a question we have always wondered. Why has there never been an attempt to start recycling? I know this is a daunting task, but I would like to suggest a very small step. Ban the use of plastic bags, meaning that, as of a certain date, stores will no longer be allowed to pack your purchases in plastic bags.
People can bring their own bags, ether plastic or cloth. Inexpensive, reusable tote bags could be distributed to residents (set a number per person, such as six). Non-residents could purchase bags at a reasonable cost ($2 per bag?). The bags would be imprinted with a St. Maarten logo, making these great souvenirs for tourists. The bags could be made on island, creating local jobs, which would include design and printing of the logo.
In fact, why not have a contest for the logo design? Get the schools involved, and offer incentives to participate. Where could this lead? Just a thought.
Danielle Morrow
Douglas, Massachusetts
