Youssef Al-Kous: This will alleviate the burden of accumulating plastic waste.
The Kuwait Environment Protection Society continued its awareness campaign, which included providing guidance to citizens and residents in the face of the spread of the Coronavirus, in support of the efforts of the concerned government agencies to confront the virus and in furtherance of its social responsibilities.
In this regard, the association broadcast its following awareness message under the title “This is the time for environmentally friendly plastics,” in which Youssef Al-Kous, a member of the board of directors and treasurer of the association, said, “The precautions and obligations of the Ministry of Health call for the disposal of gloves, masks, and sterilizing wipes used to disinfect surfaces, places, and objects to reduce and limit infection with the Coronavirus and its spread,” adding, “There will be many plastic bags designated for collecting garbage to dispose of this waste, which is considered medical waste due to the possibility of the presence of viruses and germs that transmit diseases.”.
Al-Kous added, “Due to the insulating nature of plastic, it is ultimately the best refuge to isolate ourselves and our hands from what may be a source of microbial contamination.” He explained that “some Kuwaiti companies have taken the initiative, out of a sense of responsibility, to provide plastic products that help insulate the handles of shopping baskets when we need to buy necessities from cooperative societies and shopping centers during the period of home quarantine that we must adhere to. This is a national step from the company owners, and we commend them for their initiatives that reflect their sincere feelings towards citizens and residents.”.
He explained that “the Kuwait Environment Protection Society calls on the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to take the initiative to contact companies working in the field of manufacturing environmentally friendly plastic that decomposes after 6 months, and to manufacture quantities of environmentally friendly plastic immediately. This is the best opportunity to provide a great service to our country, Kuwait, by strengthening partnerships between Kuwaiti manufacturing companies and providing environmentally friendly raw materials from companies that have experience in using this type of plastic.” He considered that this “will alleviate the burden of accumulating plastic waste that will be collected during this period. It is not hidden from us and the esteemed reader that sometimes fears or negligence may cause this waste to be found in places other than for disposal, due to the abnormal practices of some individuals during crises.”.
A member of the board of directors of the Environmental Protection Association expressed that “the association calls for the private sector to contribute to raising awareness of the importance of using environmentally friendly plastics, which will reduce the burden on landfills in the long term and will ensure the decomposition of waste that leaks into the Gulf waters.”.
Youssef Al-Kous concluded by saying, “It is essential to encourage the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to focus on manufacturing environmentally friendly plastic products within the national industrial system to protect our environment, starting with plastic bags of various sizes for use in cooperative societies, shopping cart handle covers, single-use gloves, and food trays that citizens and residents are accustomed to using frequently and daily. This step cannot be accomplished without the cooperation of the Union of Cooperative Societies in promoting these important and vital products through the boards of directors of the cooperative societies, whose patriotism towards the State of Kuwait we trust in supporting this green transformation in the behaviors of Kuwaiti society.”.
