McDonald's ditching plastic straws from next month
As part of McDonald’s initiative to use its scale to contribute to positive changes in the communities where it operates, Arcos Dorados - McDonald’s franchisee in Latin America and the Caribbean- will cease to offer plastic straws in its 2,100 restaurants across the region, from October 31st, 2018.
Straws will be provided only for those customers who expressly request them.
The company says that for now, straws will still be available at the drive-thru.
Wrong fine given to Scarlet Ibis poachers
Environmental Management Authority (EMA) chairman Nadra Nathai-Gyan yesterday admitted it was regrettable that the new $100,000 fine for poaching of a Scarlet Ibis, an Environmentally Sensitive Species (ESS), took too long to be gazetted.
Dumped oil pollutes Caparo stream
Indiscriminate dumping of waste motor oil in a tributary to the Caparo river over the last two months is not only threatening the ecosystem but is also affecting a Tilapia farmer's livelihood.
Zoo road being repaved with discarded plastic bottles
The Emperor Valley Zoo's recycling project continues as a roadway is being constructed using recycled plastics.
The roadway incorporates pavers made from approximately 1.5 million single-use plastic bottles previously used for water and soft drinks.
The discarded plastics were chipped and incorporated into each paver, storing it there forever.
In this way, fewer plastics enter landfills and waterways such as rivers and oceans.
The project is a collaboration with Flying Tree Environmental Management.
- by Sharlene Rampersad
Tyrico Bay closed due to rough seas
More than half-a-tonne of garbage removed from Invaders Bay
Over half-a-ton of garbage was removed from the Invaders Bay, Port-of-Spain, coastline, on Saturday as employees, friends and volunteers of bmobile demonstrated their support for marine conservation through the 2018 International Coastal Cleanup (ICC).
Six companies to join THA in beach clean-up this weekend
Six major companies have joined forces with the Division of Infrastructure, Quarries and the Environment (DIQE) to ‘Be the Solution, Beat Plastic Pollution’ for this year’s International Coastal Clean-Up in Tobago.
Students of the Civilian Conservation Corps, managers and staff of the Division of Tourism, Culture and Transportation; Royal Bank; B-Mobile; WASA; T&TEC; and DIQE will take to the shoreline this weekend to clean the island’s beaches.
Air quality testing begins in Crown Point
Environmental Officers have commenced an Air Quality Monitoring Project in Crown Point, Tobago.
Officials say that with the dramatic increase in vehicular traffic over the years, determining the concentrations of Carbon Monoxide and Nitrogen Dioxide is a key focus of the project.
The data will be used to;
(i) identify and evaluate the risks of key sources of pollutants emitted;
(ii) observe long-term trends and model the dispersal of pollutants;
(iii) guide strategies and measures to aid in the reduction of emissions and associated risks; and
EMA to take action against illegal quarrying and squatting
The EMA plans to take action against alleged illegal quarrying activities in North- East Trinidad.
The following is a press release from the EMA:
'The Environmental Management Authority (EMA) recently conducted a surveillance of several areas in the north-eastern part of Trinidad reported as being destroyed by squatting and illegal quarrying activities.
Officers from the EMA’s Environmental Police Unit (EPU) conducted assessments of areas within the Melajo Forest Reserve and along the Toco Old Road.
National Council in Grenada meeting to assess damage by heavy rainfall
The national council in Grenada are currently in a meeting to determine the damage of yesterday's heavy rainfall.
Coordinator of the National Disaster Management agency says assessments are currently being done by district coordinators.
The airport recorded 6 inches of rainfall and the country's national stadium flooded.
The heavy rain was caused by an inter-tropical convergence zone that brought heavy rains and thundershowers across the island for more than 7 hours.