Dear Editor,

If people are going to enjoy the holidays, then they should do so with restraint and some prudence. No, I am not talking about the alcohol binge that occurs around this time, but the huge amounts of polystyrene (styrofoam) receptacles which would be used at the dozens of Christmas fêtes, parties, socials, lunches, dinners, gatherings and events of such nature.

Over the past weeks, there have been numerous reports in the media of celebrations and parties hosted by persons and corporate entities to share the Christmas spirit among the poor, needy and less fortunate. This is very commendable. However, we in Guyana seem not to be environmentally conscious at times, so I am urging persons to think about their surroundings. We seem to have gone into a plastic madness, as there has been a plethora of products which have, over time, switched from being available in glass bottles to now being in plastic containers. The plastic invasion began about ten years ago, prior to which time I remember we had aerated beverages in glass bottles which had to be returned to be processed and refilled by the soft- drink factories.

With so many of these plastic-bottled, aerated sodas being sold, I am mystified as to where all of these plastic containers are going, or what happens to them after they have been dumped or thrown away somewhere. In some parts of Canada, the buyer has to pay five additional dollars at selected supermarkets.

Plastic pervades our environment. We use so much plastic and other recyclable material when all is said and done. We go to supermarkets, shops, stores and eateries, purchase items, then we are given plastic bags – lots of them – then we empty those bags when we get home, and then what? The process is repeated the next time. Other nations use paper bags (huge ones) at supermarkets. Many do not even give bags. Paper combusts easier than plastic and it (plastic) releases toxic gases like dioxin in the air when burned.

I get worried and frightened when I see the plastic craze around me every day. Without an effective plan to recycle and reuse plastic in the very near future, our environment will get angry and start rebelling. God help us then.

Yours faithfully,
Leon Jameson Suseran