Even with the recognition that the ongoing improper disposal of plastic products is likely to have a devastating impact on the Jamaican environment, the lead agency charged with disposing of solid waste is yet to formulate a policy for the recycling of plastics.

David DaCosta, National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) public relations supervisor, made the admission yesterday during a ceremony at the University of the West Indies for the expansion phase of the agency's Plastic Bottle Separation and Recovery Project.

"Currently, the authority does not have a policy for recycling plastic bottles, but what I am really here today to share with you is that we are in full support of the recycling project going on here at UWI," he told those gathered at the ceremony.

DaCosta later told The Gleaner that the NSWMA did not even have a draft policy on recycling of plastics. This despite having an agreement with the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC) to implement a recycling project for such waste collected from the Coronation Market.

Ksac's total solution plan

Town Clerk Errol Greene told The Gleaner yesterday that while the project has not yet got off the ground, the KSAC was going for a "total solution" to its collection and disposal of solid waste in partnership with the NSWMA.

He said that while the specifics were yet to be worked out, there was a commitment from both parties for the collection, sorting and disposal of recyclable waste, separate from the collection of biodegradable garbage.

"We've had discussions with the NSWMA, which is partnering with us and we are not there yet, but that was part of the plan and we have placed bins at strategic locations," Greene explained.

Guidelines for recycling

However, DaCosta appeared to be unaware of this pact.

"We will be collecting plastics, but I think that will be a regular collection. It will be compost and regular collection. It (plastics) won't be collected separately, not to my knowledge," he declared.

In fact, CEO of the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica, Karen McDonald-Gayle, seemed to have a better grasp of the situation. She explained that while the NSWMA did not have a document in writing which detailed what should happen in respect of recycling plastics in Jamaica, it did have guidelines to this effect.

McDonald-Gayle said while the document was yet to be approved and passed by the relevant authorities, research work was being undertaken which would inform it.

Professor Elizabeth Thompson-Hope is spearheading this research to provide details of what is needed to put in place the infrastructure to facilitate proper recycling of the different plastics here in Jamaica.

christopher.serju@gleanerjm.com