WILLEMSTAD - The Curaçao Parliament unanimously approved the long-awaited Plastic Law yesterday. With 13 votes in favor and none against, the legislation aimed at drastically reducing plastic pollution received support from all political parties, including MAN, MFK, TPK, and PNP. 

The initiator of the law, Giselle Mc William, and co-initiator Yael Plet, are delighted with this milestone. The law, which still needs to be officially published by the government, sets a period of nine months after which the use of foam containers, plastic cutlery, and plastic bags will be prohibited. An exception is made for biodegradable plastic bags, which are considered environmentally friendlier alternatives. 

This legislation, which was also recently adopted by the Parliament of Sint Maarten, follows a macro-legislative initiative of Parlatino from 2017. With this, Curaçao aligns itself with other Caribbean islands committed to sustainability and the environment. 

Mc William emphasizes that this law is just a first step and calls for a broader vision on environmental management across all political parties. She hopes that within five years, Curaçao will be a role model in environmental policy. 

Amendments 

During the consideration of the law, two amendments were adopted. The first amendment, proposed by the MFK faction, extends the transition period from six to nine months to give businesses more time to adapt. The second amendment, from PNP, calls for an evaluation of the law after two years to assess its effectiveness and make necessary adjustments. 

The approval of the law was celebrated as a victory for the environment and as a moment when political differences were set aside for the greater good.