Since the completion of the pilot phase of the RePLAST OECS Plastic Collection Project (August 31st 2021) the return of the initiative had been highly anticipated. This was made clear at the Gros Islet RePLAST Collection Point (RCP) on the 13th of November, the first operational day of the 2nd phase, where an astonishing 4316 lbs of plastic were collected.
New collection points
Amongst the new features, Constitution Park was introduced as Castries’ new collection point. Passers-by can now observe volunteers at work, inquire about the initiative and become a patron. This move helped to increase the public’s awareness of the project, with numerous sign ups happening as a result. Now in the heart of the city, residents of Castries who could not access the Northern RePLAST Collection Points before, have an opportunity to be ‘RePLAST heroes’ themselves.
A dynamic that continues...
Though the challenges of COVID-19 persist, the coalition of public and private entities (Companies, Community Organizations, Volunteers) forged by Unite Caribbean continues to prove itself. With roughly 30 000 lbs of plastic collected in the 4 collection points since November 2021 (Gros Islet, Castries, Vieux Fort and Laborie) it is clear that much like the Pilot phase, this current phase of the project will meet the objectives set by Unite Caribbean.
Several of the collection and recycling project’s partners have reaffirmed their commitment to the RePLAST initiative, including the OECS and Heineken St. Lucia. ” “RePLAST for us at Heineken represents the possibility of how we can indeed shift behaviours and attitudes towards creating a more circular economy” – Thibault Mesqui, Managing Director, Heineken Saint Lucia.
The collection points’ activity is scheduled until the end of April 2022 – you will find here all the collection dates.
... And crosses the sea!
The earnest support of the private sector is also visible through the commitment to expand the project to other Caribbean countries. The collection and recycling of plastics is indeed a major challenge for the region. Thanks to the financial support of Coca-Cola, Unite Caribbean just kicked off a scoping mission to extend the project in Grenada.
