The Caribbean, celebrated for its vibrant marine life and crystal-clear waters, stands at the forefront of an escalating environmental crisis.
The islands face a dire plastic challenge, with waste generation at 2.30 kg per person daily, significantly surpassing the global average of 1.55 kg.
The rapid increase in global plastic production, which escalated from 1.5 million tonnes in 1950 to a staggering 348 million tonnes by 2017, has placed the Caribbean in a precarious position, rendering it the second most plastic-contaminated sea after the Mediterranean.
A vast quantity of this plastic bypasses effective waste management systems, ending up in waterways and the sea, tarnishing the region's picturesque beauty.
A daunting tide
Recognising the urgency of the situation, 14 Caribbean countries have taken decisive action by implementing various bans on Styrofoam, plastic bags or other plastic products as of January 2019. According to the World Bank report titled, Marine Pollution in the Caribbean: Not a Minute to Waste, these bans represent a crucial step towards mitigating marine pollution, showcasing the Caribbean's commitment to the global fight against plastic waste. Despite these efforts, the challenge persists, highlighting the need for continued action and innovation in tackling plastic pollution. Haiti and Antigua and Barbuda, for example, banned Styrofoam and plastic bags in 2013 and 2016 respectively, as part of their initiatives to combat marine pollution.
Complexity of waste management
In Trinidad and Tobago, the struggle against plastic pollution is emblematic of the broader challenges faced by the Caribbean.
The proposed Beverage Container Bill, languishing since 1999, exemplifies the region's difficulties in implementing effective waste management policies.
In a 2019 paper, Plastics Waste Metabolism in a Petro-Island State: Towards Solving a Wicked Problem in Trinidad and Tobago, the sustainability challenges of this sector are described as an example of "wicked problems," characterised by its intricate complexity and the broad spectrum of stakeholders they impact.
To solve these problems, a comprehensive and collaborative approach involving the private sector, manufacturing industries, civil society and governments is needed to craft viable solutions.
A global perspective
The United Nations Environment Programme's 2023 report on plastic pollution, Turning off the tap, paints a grim picture, projecting a potential doubling or tripling of marine pollution by 2040. This alarming forecast underscores the critical need for interventions across the entire business model and value chain, emphasising the economic and environmental imperatives for sustainable practices. The global nature of plastic pollution requires a concerted effort, with interventions needed at every stage of the plastic lifecycle to mitigate its impact on the marine environment.
Role of companies: SPHERE framework
The introduction of the Sustainability in Packaging Holistic Evaluation for Decision-Making (SPHER
