6 Countries in 7 Days: - 6 Photos that Highlight the Packaging Paradox

Posted on 24 Feb 2025

Our trip around the Caribbean took us to 10 countries, however, in just 7 days, we witnessed the confusion that pervades the packaging industry throughout the world.

Photo 1 above was taken in Curacao. This rubbish simply dumped in the street is mostly paper and cardboard, which is easily recycled. The black plastic bags have obviously been recycled, so plastic recycling is also available. The plastic bottle is widely collected for recycling and yet the whole of this recyclable waste is just dumped. Regrettably, the waste pollution (particularly plastic) is blamed – not the polluters.

A plastic bottle collector who makes a living collecting plastic bottles others have thrown away.

“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure”.

Paper cups wrapped in plastic! As the ‘paper cups’ are plastic lined, then the manufacturer has produced the worst of all worlds.

Plastic straws wrapped in paper. This combination is bewildering as the following photo highlights.

Paper straws lined with plastic! Mr Trump has drawn the world’s attention to the stupidity of legislation which effected a miniscule percentage are of the waste market. However, the legislation highlights the populist approach of politicians to minority pressure groups.

‘Sea Glass’ plastics in the world’s oceans has received worldwide publicity. Whilst the only plastic debris we saw was old fishing nets caught on the rocks, in virtually every country the boys found ‘sea glass’. The glass shown here was collected in just one hour’s competitive hunting by two young boys on a beach in Barbados. Plastic waste dumped in the ocean floats on the current, the remaining waste sinks and this ‘sea glass’ is testimony to what happens when it is thrown onto the local rocks by the tides. Minor injuries are common (according to the locals) with the occasional serious injury. Meanwhile, the paper / board also dumped, decomposes leaching toxic chemicals from its inks and manufacture into the ocean.

Summary

The holiday is excellent and not over yet and it could be argued that noticing packaging, including waste, is a sad way to travel, but no problem can ever be fixed without identifying its origin.

The Caribbean is a wonderful natural environment and none of the problems here are insoluble. Nevertheless, more and better education on how we can minimise our use of the Earth’s natural resources, allied to more investment in waste collection and recycling would make a real difference. Packaging designed to be recycled would complete all the changes necessary to produce a more sustainable environment. Not just here in the Caribbean, but worldwide. However, while ever we blame the pollution and not the polluters, no progress will be made, either here or elsewhere.

As ever, I welcome your views on any of the items raised and why not join me on LinkedIn for more regular discussions.

Twigg Times