PHILIPSBURG:--- The Nature Foundation Sint Maarten expresses their sincere appreciation to Lagoonies Bar and Bistro, Buccaneer Beach Bar, Dinghy Dock, Toppers Restaurant and Bar, Palapa Village, Pinche Gringo, Freedom Fighter's Ital Shack, Buffalo Wings, Lazy Lizard, Melange Grill, Isola Authentic Italian Restaurant, Mary’s Boon, D-boat, Blue Bitch Bar, Taloula Flights, Joga SXM, Karakter beach Bar, Dive Sint Maarten, Sea Trek, Coconut Reef Tours and any other business who switched to environmental friendly products instead of single-use plastics. The Foundation commends the businesses on their efforts of reducing single-use plastics on our island. Due to their choice to use only reusable and biodegradable products instead of single-use plastics at their business, the harmful impacts of these plastics on our environment, marine life and nature are reduced and it provides us with a cleaner Sint Maarten.
Their leadership in being an environmentally friendly business inspires other businesses and their costumers to care more about our environment and creates a chain reaction of additional businesses and people who will refuse the use of single-use plastics. The Nature Foundation is sincerely thanking above mentioned businesses for taking part in their Reduce and Reuse project and for their efforts to reduce the amount of single-use plastics on Sint Maarten!
The Reduce and Reuse project is designed to teach and encourage residents, children and businesses to reduce their waste output and clean-up the environment. The Nature Foundation started the project after Hurricane Irma hit the island and an increase of the already large amounts of single-use plastic waste was found in the environment, nature, and waters surrounding Sint Maarten.
Unfortunately, most businesses on Sint Maarten still hand out an abundance of single-use plastic cups, cutlery, straws, bags, and styrofoam without discouragement or fee. These products are made from polyethylene, a substance that never biodegrades and only breaks down in small plastic pieces which remain in our environment indefinitely. A large part of these single-use plastics is ending up on our beaches and in our ocean, resulting in detrimental effects on marine life, coral reefs, fishes, birds, and the health of our residents and our economy. “However, the leadership of these businesses in reducing single-use plastics is inspiring more businesses to reduce single-use plastics as well, assisting us with bringing the message across to other businesses and educate our island to be more environmental friendly” stated Nature Foundation’s Projects Officer Melanie Meijer zu Schlochtern.
“Also, our landfill reached its maximum capacity already in 2008 and garbage bins along beaches are overflowing daily, there is simply no more room for unnecessary waste. Therefore their commitment of reducing single-use plastics will improve our waste situation, providing a cleaner island and protect our environment and marine life; the Foundation is honored to have these businesses on board with the single-use plastic-free movement. The help of businesses is going a long way in ensuring the preservation of the beauty we are all so proud of and together we can put St Maarten on the map of the world’s eco-friendly destinations” continued Meijer zu Schlochtern.
