Guyana: educating people to fight plastic pollution

June has seen multiple activities in Guyana aimed at curbing plastic pollution. Kemraj Parsram, Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), said the issue of containing plastic waste is linked to the country’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, launched a couple of years ago, which promotes the idea of a “circular economy”. This type of economy minimises waste and maximises the lifespan of products and resources through repurposing and recycling. Parsram pointed out that such a policy has pushed the EPA to address the public about the importance of recycling and reusing items instead of throwing them away in the environment. However, he said that the EPA cannot do this work alone and needs the support of all stakeholders, from citizens to businesses and government agencies.
Parsram complained about the “very negative attitudes and behaviours” of people toward the environment, which have led to the heavy pollution of Guyana’s rivers and canals. He emphasised the need to change these attitudes and behaviours through awareness campaigns and enforcement efforts. The EPA has started the process with actions to eradicate littering at the seawalls and the creation of a platform to spread environmental values among young people.