The Renewable Energy Office, the Anguilla National Trust and the Green Anguilla Movement are happy to support this activity and will be providing biodegradable garbage bags for use this year. If you would like to join in with a group, or organize your own group to assist in this campaign, please call Lloyd Gumbs or Gary Thulander at Cap Juluca at 497-6666, or Gilda Gumbs-Samuel at the AHTA at 497-2944 for more information.

WORLD VIEW: USA TOWN BANS BOTTLED WATER

Last week the residents of Concord, Massachusetts voted to ban the sale of all bottled water by next January, making it the first U.S. town to take such action so Jerry Stone reports in Treehugger this week.The effort was lead by Jean Hill, an 82-year old activist, who lobbied neighbors and officials alike on the consequences of plastic bottles filling landfills and polluting local waters. “All these discarded bottles are damaging our planet, causing clumps of garbage in the oceans that hurt fish, and are creating more pollution on our streets,” says Hill. “This is a great achievement to be the first in the country to do this. This is about addressing an injustice.” The bottled water industry (estimated to be worth $10 billion) is less than thrilled with the news and has even threatened a legal challenge. They argue that singling out bottled water is unfair when “thousands of food, medicinal, beauty and cleaning products are packaged in plastic.” The movement to ban bottled water is growing though, and more than 100 towns across the United States already prohibit spending city dollars on the product.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE: TWO PETITIONS - TO REDUCE PLASTICS AND INCREASE ORGANIC CHOICES IN ANGUILLA

Our colleagues at the Anguilla National Trust have created two petitions for consumers to sign which respectfully ask for supermarkets in Anguilla to offer more organic and local food choices as well as alternatives to plastics and Styrofoam. They are asking them to be aware that Anguilla is an end consumer – all waste generated on the island stays on the island - and that it is of paramount importance that we reduce the amount of waste entering and remaining in Anguilla’s landfill. Products made out of biodegradable polymers, starches, and complimentary ingredients can be disposed of in composts and landfills. Moreover, when they degrade, they leave no toxic residues behind. By allowing consumers to choose environmentally-friendly products every time we enter a grocery store, we are all able to play a meaningful role in environmental protection and waste management. The other petition requests that Anguilla’s consumers should be offered a greater choice of organic products to purchase and eat so that we can make healthy decisions for ourselves and for our families.

As a leading tourism destination we need to bear in mind market demands – many of our tourists expect to see recycling and responsible waste management practiced. They also want to have the kind of organic and local food choices they expect in ’paradise’ and may decide to go elsewhere if they are not able to find them here in Anguilla.

We hope to send out electronic versions of these petitions shortly – but in the meantime if you feel strongly about these issues please pass by the ANT and sign up!

DID YOU KNOW? OUR COOL GREEN ANGUILLA WATER BOTTLES HELP REDUCE BOTTLE WASTE IN ANGUILLA AND MAKE A GREAT GIFT

As part of the Earth Day festivities we commissioned some beautiful reusable water bottles featuring the GREEN ANGUILLA logo. They were a huge success with children and adults alike. We still have a few for sale at the ANT office and are planning to order more shortly.  Limited amounts of the other Green Anguilla goodies pictured below are also available. 

If you would like to order some for your home, resort or office please call me on 497 5297 or email me on beth@anguillareo.org. 

Thanks for reading our newsletter, I hope you enjoyed it. If you have any comments or would like to make a suggestion on content to be included please feel free to submit your ideas – we would love to hear from you.

With best wishes,

Beth Barry, Renewable Energy Coordinator
Anguilla Renewable Energy Office

If you would like to contact the AREO direct and learn more about our work please visit our website www.anguillareo.org.