ST. THOMAS — Governor Kenneth Mapp has proclaimed November 2016 as Virgin Islands Recycles Month in conjunction with national efforts to promote reuse and repurposing efforts, a press release Government House issued late Monday reveals.
The governor said the campaign was organized to promote greater awareness of environmental issues, to include climate change relative to solid waste, and that the Virgin Islands was poised to implement its own significant measures in this regard, according to the release.
Earlier this year, Mr. Mapp sent three bills to the legislature designed to address litter and reduce the waste stream. Senators unanimously supported his bill to limit plastic bags, which will take effect next year. However, bills to establish a redemption value on every beverage container sold in the territory and to enforce recycling and the separation of trash are still awaiting consideration by the 31st Legislature’s Committee on Rules.
Mr. Mapp called on all residents to support these efforts and to join him in this observance in encouragement of recycling and anti litter efforts throughout the territory.
“The main purpose of the month’s events is to focus attention on recycling and waste reduction to help reduce the volume of reusable materials that end up in our Transfer Stations and landfills,” the governor wrote in his proclamation. “In support of recycling within the territory, the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority has a number of programs available to the greater public-at-large, including Electronic Devices Recycling Program, the Do-it-Yourself Used Oil Program, the annual Don’t Trash Your Cans, Cash Your Cans Aluminum Can Collection Contest and the Household Hazardous Waste Program.”
For more information, contact the V.I. Waste Management Authority at 340-774-2562.
Tags: governor kenneth mapp, recycles month, us virgin islands
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