In Aruba … Getting Rid of the Trash … Talk about Symbolism

Aruba getting rid of their trash problem by banning plastic bags; a new bill to ban the import and use of plastic bags.  Now if they could only put forth the same effort by ridding themselves of other elements of trash. Talk about your symbolism.

Amigoe, Sept. 10, 2007: Law to ban plastic bags being drawn up

The only way to combat littering is according to Milieu-minister Wever, a ban on plastic bags.

ORANJESTAD — Minister Booshi Wever is working on a new bill to ban the import and use of plastic bags per January 1st, 2008.

The minister, who is among others responsible for environment policy, says that a legal prohibition is the only solution for combating littering of the island with plastic bags.  “All the efforts to combat this with information films on TV didn’t help.  We are still confronted with plastic bags in trees, cactuses, and even in the sea.  Other than being a very ugly sight, animals can also die from eating the bags.”  The minister says that Serlimar has a lot of work removing the bags from the countryside every day.  An unrewarding task is the opinion of the minister, because the cleaned trees and cactuses are littered again with plastic grocery bags the next day.

The bill is being drawn up in cooperation with the ministry of justice.  The minister will soon inform the importers of plastic bags of his plan.