Should the VI impose a ban on styrofoam use in restaurants?
The US Department of Health and Human Services has added styrene to a list of possible carcinogens or substances capable of causing cancer in living tissues. Styrene is a chemical found in polystyrene plastics, better known as styrofoam materials.
Cancer is said to be one of the leading causes of death worldwide, especially among women and, unlike the world’s scientists’ ability to develop medications that can reverse a person’s HIV status to a state of undetectable, cancer is yet to get such scientific interventions. Persons diagnose with cancer have a fighting chance of leading a normal life only with early detection.
“This is something I seriously think the government should debate and implement. Just like USVI now ban plastic bags, we took a stand on that some time back but supermarkets back with it, but more seriously we should look at stopping the use of styrofoam starting with restaurants first,” said Mary L. Georges.
She further added, “Opposition leader, Government leaders, please make this a serious point of study. We hear Gloria Fahie and the Cancer society trying their best to fight this dread disease here. They are doing a good job but the best thing this country’s leaders can do to support the BVI Cancer Society is it to take certain actions that put persons at less risk.”
Mrs Georges shared with this news site extracts she said she pulled from the Facebook page, BVI Community Board, which spoke to, in part, of her concerns about styrofoam use especially in restaurants.
According to Mrs Georges, she was at a local restaurant and was horrified to learn that all the meals were being served in styrofoam containers. “This has got to stop. Honestly who enjoys dining out of styrofoam? I certainly do not. I'd rather carry my own dish ware, as ridiculous as that may sound. It's absolutely senseless to utilise materials for 10, 15, 20 minutes or less only to be thrown away and never disappear from earth. It pollutes our land and waters, harms our wildlife and environment.”
Ban on Styrofoam?
Supporting Mrs Georges concern, one person commented on the post, “I'd love to see BVI adopt some of the new laws banning plastic straws and styrofoam similar to Miami, like France has on plastic cups and bags.”
Another said, “A great first step for those that really want to make a difference is to refuse to eat at establishments that ONLY offer single use containers and utensils, at the very least give those that care a choice, although no single use at all would be ideal. I for one will not be dining at Beach Bar until they go back to using reusable.”
“This has got to be one of the only places where there is not only 0% recycling, but a readily available supply of plastic straws at bars, styrofoam containers and plastic cups. It begins with education, ban on import and governmental encouragement of recycling. This place relies on its environment for its economy, we have to develop ways to not destroy it,” another person commented.
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39 Responses to “Should the VI impose a ban on styrofoam use in restaurants?”
I would like to order a shepherds pie, for John Doe.
Okay, bring a plate when you coming because we stop using styrofoam crates.
Gumption's Tours BVI