Dear RePLAST Patrons,
As you would be aware, since May 2019 Unite Caribbean Limited has been involved in the implementation of the RePLAST Pilot Plastic Recycling Project within Saint Lucia with the objective of creating an incentivised collection, processing and export system for plastic PET and HDPE bottles. The project received initial funding primarily from the Government of France during the period May 2019 to August 2021, and was continued into a second phase with support from the Organisation of the Eastern Caribbean States Commission, Heineken Saint Lucia Ltd. and other private sector partners.
We now wish to advise that after 20 months of collection activities, August 31st 2022 will mark the completion of the 2nd phase of the RePLAST System in Saint Lucia and a cessation of all collection activities for waste plastic recycling.
COMMUNITY COLLECTION – THE WAY FORWARD
Through this project, collection activities commenced on January 16, 2021. Thanks to the committed coalition of the GOSL and SLSWMA, private sector partners, community partners, volunteers and the patrons, we are pleased to confirm that to date the system has collected a total of approximately 160,000 lbs of plastic beverage bottles and exported over 91,000 lbs of plastic material to recycling facilities in the wider Caribbean region. Subsequently, with the continued support of the Reward Partners, the redemption of points for Rewards in Phase 2 will continue until September 15, 2022.
WHERE WE ARE NOW
From September 2022 there will be a period of review which would allow for the assessment of processes and procedures and the determination of lessons learnt in the collection, processing and export of beverage bottles as well as the incentivization system and the public education efforts.
WHAT’S NEXT
The commencement of a new phase of operations in 2023 leading to a sustainable recycling system will be announced in a subsequent update. In the interim, please contact publicrelations@unite-caribbean.com for public relations and your local Constituency Council for information on community engagement.
Unite Caribbean and the RePLAST Saint Lucia country team thank all Saint Lucians for embracing this initiative and wish to encourage you to continue to Be A Hero, to Reuse and Recycle Plastics. Thank you for your support and involvement over the last 20 months, and we look forward to your participation in the next phase of recycling operations, once it is announced.
Regards,
RePLAST OECS Team
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