epa

EPA continues to engage stakeholders in proposed single-use plastics ban

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on during May 27 to June 11 2020, engaged some critical stakeholders on the proposed single-use plastics ban.   These   included:   the   Director   of   the   Guyana   Tourism   Authority   (GTA); executive  members  of  Guyana  Manufacturing  and  Services  Association  (GMSA); representatives   from   Hotels,   Resorts,   Restaurants   and   Bars;   members   of   the Georgetown  Chamber  of Commerce (GCC); as well as Chief Executive Officer of the Small Business Bureau.

Prior   to   the   prevailing   COVID-19   pandemic,   the   EPA   conducted   a   series   of consultations   with   several   business   stakeholders   including  supermarkets   and importers  of  single-use  plastics.  However,  due  to  the  COVID-19  restrictions,  the Agency has transitioned to hosting virtual consultations on the ban since April 2020. Some of the major concerns emanating from these engagements were relative to the cost  and  viability  of  alternatives  for  the  proposed  items  to  be  banned;  increased education  and  awareness  campaigns  targeting  the  business  community;  and  fiscal incentives to support the local development of alternatives.

The Agency remains committed to ensuring the proposed Single-use Plastics ban adequately captures and addresses the concerns of key stakeholders.

We encourage you to share your recommendations and concerns with us and participate in our public survey made accessible on our social media pages.

For more information, please send an email to:  singleuseplastics592@gmail.com, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

CELEBRATING EARTH DAY 2020

Earth Day is a worldwide movement, celebrated on April 22, yearly. This year is no different as we celebrate under the theme: Climate Action. The observance of Earth Day started with one simple objective; to bring global awareness about environmental protection. This movement began in 1970 to save nature, where some 20 million demonstrators (at the grassroot level) and thousands of schools and local communities participated. From this event, the US Environmental Protection Agency was established, followed by the passing of the Clean Air Act in the same year, the Clean Water Act in 1972, and the Endangered Species Act in 1973. Although this day has its origin in the United States, the recognition and celebration of the planet, our home, is now a yearly commemoration by more than 500 million people in 190+ countries.

EPA engages Private Sector on proposed Single-use Plastics Ban

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on May 20, 2020, engaged representatives from the Private Sector Commission (PSC), along with  executive members of the Georgetown, as well as, the Regional Chambers of Commerce.

The virtual consultation aimed to: apprise the Private Sector of the ban; discuss the potential impacts on members of the Private Sector, along with opportunities for businesses; and recommendations to remedy any possible social and economic gaps which may arise as a result of the ban.

Prior to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, the EPA conducted a series of consultations with several business stakeholders including supermarkets and importers of single-use plastics. However, due to the COVID-19 restrictions, the EPA transitioned to hosting virtual consultations on the ban since April 2020, with a wide cross-section of stakeholders, including financial institutions, the tourism sector, and international partner organisations.

Some of the major concerns emanating from the engagements with the private sector were relative to viable alternatives for the proposed items to be banned; increased education and awareness campaigns targeting the business community; and fiscal incentives to support the local development of alternatives. At the most recent consultation, representatives of the Private Sector Commission and the Regional Chambers of Commerce endeavoured to confer with their members and other related committees, to provide more coherent feedback and recommendations on the implementation of the ban. The Agency remains committed to ensuring the proposed Single-use Plastics Ban adequately captures and addresses the concerns of key stakeholders, so as to ensure the smoothest possible transition and more effective compliance.

The Agency has an upcoming virtual consultation with representatives from Bars, Restaurants and Hotels on May 28, 2020 at 14:00h.  Following the success of its first Facebook Live Session on April 22, 2020, another Facebook Live Session relative to the ban is scheduled for June 03, 2020 at 13:00h (1:00pm).

The Agency is making every effort to meet with as many stakeholders as possible, including members of the public, and importers/manufacturers of single-use plastics and/or alternatives. We encourage you to contact us if you have feedback to provide. Please also participate in our public survey made accessible on our social media pages.

For more information, please send an email to: singleuseplastics592@gmail.com, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

EPA takes Single-use Plastics (SUP) Ban Consultations Virtual

April 23, 2020 – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in celebration of Earth Day 2020, conducted a virtual consultation on the impending ban on single-use plastics using ‘Facebook Live’ on April 22. Guyana will be joining a global concerted effort to ban single-use plastics due to its impacts on human health, marine biodiversity and the environment, in 2021. The session aimed to educate the public on the impending ban on single-use plastics and garner feedback on areas of concern relative to the ban. Discussions were mainly centred around the availability of alternatives to single-use plastics and timelines for implementation of the ban.

The activity was well received, and given the positive feedback, the Agency will be conducting follow up sessions, relative to the ban, as well as, other matters of public interest relevant to the function and mandate of the Agency. Given the recent COVID-19 Pandemic, the Agency has transitioned toward hosting its public consultations virtually since March 2020. We have not only increased our social media presence, but also extended our radio and TV programmes, now having weekly radio interviews in Linden, Mabaruma and Lethem.

The Agency has also been conducting remote consultations via Zoom and other platforms with key stakeholders, including manufacturers, importers and the tourism sector. In the upcoming weeks, we will be meeting with stakeholders from financial institutions, hotels, restaurants and bars. Additionally, on Saturday April 25, 2020, we will be launching our Public Survey on the Proposed Single-Use Plastics Ban, virtually on the EPA – Guyana Facebook Page.

The Agency is making every effort to meet with as many stakeholders as possible, including members of the public, and importers/manufacturers of single-use plastics and/or alternatives. We encourage you to contact us if you have feedback to provide.

Please send an email at eit.epaguyana@gmail.com or epa@epaguyana.org , follow us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.