{"id":239607,"date":"2025-06-04T12:50:51","date_gmt":"2025-06-04T16:50:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=239607"},"modified":"2025-06-04T13:02:10","modified_gmt":"2025-06-04T17:02:10","slug":"carpha-calls-for-urgent-action-to-beat-plastic-pollution-to-secure-future-health-on-world-environment-day-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/carpha-calls-for-urgent-action-to-beat-plastic-pollution-to-secure-future-health-on-world-environment-day-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"CARPHA Calls for Urgent Action to Beat Plastic Pollution to Secure Future Health on World Environment Day 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u00a0 The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA<\/a><\/strong>) joins our regional and international partners in observing World Environment Day 2025. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under the theme \u201cBeat Plastic Pollution\u201d, we encourage our regional community \u2013 individuals, governments and the private sector \u2013 to adopt more sustainable practices to secure the health of future generations.\u00a0<\/p>

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In the Caribbean region, mainly characterised by small developing large ocean states, over 320,000 tons of plastic waste remain uncollected yearly. <\/p>

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Plastic litter in our region is almost four times the global average (1).\u00a0 The largest generator of single use plastic waste in the world is the packaging sector, which accounts for 36% of all plastics produced, with 85 per cent of single-use food and beverage containers ending up in landfills, or polluting our oceans, soils and delicate ecosystems (2). \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr Lisa Indar, Executive Director of CARPHA <\/a><\/strong>stated,\u00a0\u201cWhile plastics are useful and essential for some sectors, their mismanagement has become a public health and environment issue.<\/p>

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Pathways allow microplastics and toxic chemicals from plastics\u00a0to crossover into our food chain, affecting seafood with consequences to our health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CARPHA recommends multisector action as plastic pollution crosscuts many sectors – together, we can protect our health, our environment and our future\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>

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Mr Shane Kirton, Officer in Charge, CARPHA Environmental Health and Sustainable Development Department added, \u201cThe Region can benefit from access to green financing that ensures a transition away from high levels of plastic dependence.<\/p>

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Additionally, global partnerships must be leveraged and scalable solutions developed, implemented and appropriately evaluated\u201d. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many CARPHA Member States have already taken significant policy actions to combat plastic pollution by implementing bans on single-use plastics and Styrofoam. In 2021, CARICOM launched a regional strategy to reduce the generation and impact of plastic waste on the marine environment and human health – Clean Seas Caribbean<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Caribbean\u2019s involvement in, and copious preparation for the UN Global Plastic Pollution Treaty negotiations highlight the commitment of regional leaders to a coordinated global response. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While progress is encouraging, accelerating action through stronger policies, finance and investment in green technologies and public engagement will be crucial to achieving a future where plastic production, consumption and waste are sustainably managed. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In recognition of World Environment Day, which is celebrated on June 5 annually, CARPHA encourages the Caribbean community to join the fight and do your part to: <\/p>\n\n\n\n