Capital city can be plastic free: UN

United Nations (UN) resident coordinator Roy Trivedy says Port Moresby is well positioned to become a plastic-free city.
Trivedy said as cities around the world embark on campaigns to reduce plastic usage, Port Moresby can join the movement.
London recently launched a campaign which aims to get rid of the use of plastic bottles and bags by the end of next year.
“Many businesses, corporate partners as well as the mayor of London are supporting the campaign,” Trivedy said.
“Many of the plastics we use – from coffee cups to grocery bags – end up in the ocean, posing serious threat to urban infrastructure and the marine ecosystem. The UN estimates the damage caused each year is around US$13 billion (about K40.5m).
“To address the issue, we have to start changing ourselves. We have to take collective actions and commit ourselves to use less plastic. Instead of taking plastic bags in the local supermarkets, we can bring reusable bags, instead of plastic cups we can buy our own reusable cups. These are small solutions but everyone can follow them.”
As part of efforts, the UN has produced a number of posters with the Royal Papua Yacht Club to help reduce the use of plastic cups.
Actions are needed to take these efforts to a new level.