WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao’s four active plastic recycling organizations—Green Force, Green Phenix, Limpi, and Paradise Recycling—have joined forces in a collective appeal for a more sustainable future for the island.
Ahead of World Ocean Day, the organizations are urging the government to halt the import and local production of colored PET plastic bottles, arguing that such bottles are difficult or impossible to recycle through Curaçao’s current recycling infrastructure and are becoming an increasing burden on the environment.
As part of their initiative, the four recyclers have announced that they will no longer accept colored PET bottles for recycling. As a result, these bottles can no longer be processed through existing recycling streams and are likely to end up in landfills or the natural environment, where they can remain for hundreds of years.
The joint appeal is directed not only at the government but also at consumers, importers, manufacturers, and supermarkets. The organizations are encouraging residents and businesses to choose transparent or light-blue PET bottles, which are significantly easier to recycle and can contribute directly to a more effective waste management system.
“There are sufficient recyclable alternatives available,” the four organizations said in their joint statement. “We do not have to wait for new legislation to start making better choices today.”
The recyclers emphasized that reducing the use of non-recyclable plastic packaging is an important step toward creating a cleaner and more sustainable Curaçao. They believe that both individual consumer choices and policy measures can play a critical role in reducing plastic waste and improving recycling rates.
The organizations plan to formally present their petition to the Ministry of Health, Environment and Nature during activities surrounding World Ocean Day.
One photograph accompanying the initiative shows representatives of the four recycling organizations signing the petition. A second photograph captures the moment the petition was presented to Secretary-General Mr. Melfor by Mr. Brouwer on behalf of the recycling organizations.
Through their joint request, the organizations are calling for urgent action to prohibit the import and local production of colored PET bottles, arguing that such a measure would allow a greater percentage of plastic waste to be recycled instead of ending up in the environment.
The recyclers say the initiative represents an important step toward reducing waste, increasing recycling, and protecting Curaçao’s environment for future generations.