Dear Sir,

The Government has been extremely slow to act on banning single-use plastic (promised in 2018) but we now have enabling legislation to commence banning various items of single-use plastic.

Single-use plastic and plastic in general probably presents one of the biggest health risks to humans. I would encourage everyone to find out the facts about how dangerous plastic really is.

Microplastics and forever chemicals are everywhere and dangerous. And the unregulated oil companies are just going to keep producing more plastic to compensate for reduced oil consumption.

If possible you should view the documentary The Plastic Detox on Netflix and read the articles posted on the Beyond Plastic website — beyondplastic.bm.

The information is frightening and should cause you to be very concerned. Everyone needs to know the facts. But there is also guidance on how to reduce your exposure. There are a lot of alternatives to plastic and ways to mitigate its effects.

There is little point recycling plastic because you still end up with harmful plastic. The objective is to replace plastic whenever possible.

Action needs to be taken urgently and banning single-use plastic will be a start. The Government is now in a position to do this and our elected representatives need to know the urgency of the situation.

You should make your feelings known to them and at the grocery stores and other retailers and restaurants who continue to use plastic. TV, news and social media should also get more involved and spread the word.

Information on plastic has been provided to some schools but school education is vital and needs to be continued.

A lot of businesses have made the change and eradicated single-use plastic and I applaud them for that. They have proved it is possible.

It is now up to us as individuals to force the change. If we don't the consequences will be dire.

TONY PRENTICE

Smith’s