(JIS) Jamaica is now ranked number one in the Caribbean for the collection of plastic bottles for recycling, says Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Matthew Samuda.
The local collection rate of plastics for recycling is above 40 per cent, and the country is aiming for the gold standard rate of 70 per cent collection per month.
“I am proud of the investment being made by the manufacturing sector, because Jamaica is now number one in the Caribbean in its recovery rate of plastic bottles produced on a monthly basis,” the Minister said.
He expressed confidence that with the commitment of the partners and the support of the Government “Jamaica can be the first nation in Latin America and the Caribbean region to achieve the goal of 70 per cent collection of plastics”.
The Minister was delivering the keynote address at the opening of the Kingsland Plastic Recycling Depot in Manchester last week Thursday.
Operated by Recycling Partners of Jamaica (RPJ), the Kingsland facility marks another step in the agency’s mission to protect the environment, create economic opportunities, and inspire a culture of sustainability across the island.
It provides an avenue for residents and businesses in Manchester to properly dispose of plastic waste while demonstrating the opportunities available in recycling.
Through the depot, plastic waste is transformed from an environmental hazard into a valuable resource, creating jobs, reducing landfill volumes and contributing to a cleaner environment.
