Give us alternatives now! - Vendors not pleased with ban on single-use plastics, Styrofoam

Come January 1, 2019, the Government will start imposing a ban on the importation, manufacturing, distribution and use of specific categories of plastic packaging materials, including single-use plastic carrier (shopping bags), expanded polystyrene foam, commonly referred to as styrofoam, and plastic drinking straws.

Vendors located at Heroes Circle in Kingston will be among those affected, as for years, they have been using plastic bags and styrofoam on a daily basis, serving up various meals to customers.

They, however, have taken the Government to task to make alternatives available immediately.

Munchie, a vendor of 15 years, said: "I understand that it is dangerous and harmful, but when they cut it out, what are we going to use? Me sell soup, a it me have fi sell soup inna. When dem cut it out, what am I going to put my soup in? We sell the crab, what are we going to put it in?"

"My daughter just start UWI (University of the West Indies), and it a cost me. When dem ban this now, how my child school fee and something pay? I buy them (cups) by the case, what am I going to do with them now?" Munchie added.

Racquel 'Marsha' Walker has been selling roast yam and salt fish for more than 15 years. Like Munchie, she believes the ban will affect her business.

"I don't feel pleased about it, but on the other hand, I kinda understand what they are saying. On the other hand, proper disposal and things would be better. I buy them (styrofoam) by the case. So this ban, without an alternative, is going to slow down business," she said.

Normadelle Raymond told our news team that even her roast corn and crab business is at risk without an affordable alternative.

"If dem come up with a good alternative, we will work with them. It haffi be affordable, or else the cost will be passed on to the customers. We nuh want fi hike up the price on the customers, but it's a business," Raymond said.

"We put it inna the corn trash and still haffi put it inna the bag for them to take with them. And mi haffi use the bag for the crab."

Meanwhile, Alice Waugh told THE STAR that her customers are already concerned about the ban.

"Me feel bad bout it. Mi a say Andrew [Holness] shouldn't do that. Weh we a go use. The customers dem start talk already. Yesterday, a man come and a talk bout it. If foam and plastic bag ban, weh we fi turn to? Memba say old-time paper cup cannot hold soup," she said.