Help PNG seeing plastic bags as a serious problem

PORT Moresby is in the middle of a silent invasion, says Help Papua New Guinea chief executive Frank Butler as he talks of the plactic-strewn city.
“Plastics are literally everywhere,” he says.
Butler said Port Moresby residents would all agree that plastic bags were becoming a serious problem.
“If you look around right now, there is a good chance that you will see a plastic bag blown up against a fence,” he said, “in the gutter at the side of the road or just blowing across the street.”
Help PNG, a non-governmental organisation, is a marine conservation, protection and development organisation that is firmly focused on the health of Papua New Guinea’s coasts.
The organisation sees plastic as the biggest threat facing the coastal environment.
The organisation has come up with ways to reduce or even stop the use of plastic bags and educating people about the problem and solutions.
It suggested awareness in schools, the general public in shopping centres and trade stores and in the media (radio and TV).
Butler said this was a national issue and it had to be addressed on a national basis.
“We see the complete banning of SUP (plastic bags) as our final goal,” Butler said.
“Medical and food preparations could be excused. All other SUP items should be banned from import into this country.
“Customs can easily manage that once they have the right legislation in place.”