BY LIONEL TAORAO
DESPITE the recent implementation of a ban on single-use plastic products in the Solomon Islands, a majority of residents on Ulawa Island in the Makira/Ulawa province are still unaware of the enforcement of the ban.
The ban, which now takes full effect as of March 2, 2024, is aimed at addressing the growing plastic pollution problem in the country. The five items banned in the regulation are: plastic shopping bags, plastic straws, PET water bottles less than 1.5 liters, polystyrofoam takeaway plates, cups, forks, and spoons, and plastic cups, plates, and cutlery (knives, forks, and spoons).
A six-month grace period was given to importers, manufacturers, distributors, and sellers of certain single-use plastics in the country, which ended on March 1, 2024.
In an interview with the Chairman of the Su’u Moli village solid waste management committee on Ulawa, who is also responsible for managing the Su’u Moli wharf market at Su’u Moli wharf market, Mr. Godwin Ngari’ei says that people are not aware of these new regulations on the plastic ban, which is why people are still selling plastic in their shops and markets.
“Many people are not aware of the plastic ban that is enforced across the country, maybe because they are not informed or did not hear any news regarding the plastic ban,” Mr. Ngari’ei said.
He said that the reason is due to the lack of people having access to information because, on Ulawa Island, not many people have radios to listen to news stories and announcements regarding the plastic ban enforcement.
“Maybe the fact that we don’t access newspapers and not many people have portable radios to listen to is one of the reasons for not being informed and educated about this ban.
“People here depend mostly on Our Telekom internet to access news from online news platforms to keep them informed of the happenings in the country as the only means of getting informed on updated information,” he added.
Mr. Godwin said that it would be much better if a team from the ministry responsible went down to the rural communities to raise awareness about this ban, but unfortunately, nothing as such happened, which also contributes to many people not being aware of this.
Many of the market vendors and shop owners, when asked if they are aware of the plastic ban enforcement, say that they knew nothing of this ban, which is why they still sell plastic bags.
The chairman of the Su’u Moli community solid waste management committee said that he will continue to announce and remind market vendors of the plastic ban so that people are aware of and adhere to the plastic ban regulation.
