I just read an important message. It says: One product that is virtually impossible to recycle and never biodegrades is Styrofoam. It is something that we know is environmentally destructive and that may be hazardous to our health.

My question is do restaurants in Treasure Beach use Styrofoam for things like plates, drinking glasses, soup bowls, carry out boxes and other kinds of items. If they do can anyone please tell me which places. Thank you for your help.

They ALL do

Now I am getting more upset. I got a call from a friend in Treasure Beach saying more than one place is using Styrofoam and this is not only for take away food but it is for food eaten right on the premises. This might be cheap but it is causing grave harm to the place where we love to vacation and where so many of our friends live. I also watched that film about the birds and it scares me that we human beings do not realize all the harm we are doing not only to ourselves but to our birds and sea turtles and other wildlife.

All restaurants and food shops that I have gotten food to carry away from ,use styrofoam in Jamaica!! Then they burn the plastic and styrofoam garbage.. Amazing.

However, they do serve the food eaten in the restaurant on regular dishes. Also, one can bring their own container to carry away food.

Education is the key!!

I am not a fan of using Styrofoam and when everyone does it there is no incentive to change because it is the norm. I had soup at Jack Sprats and I will admit it was excellent but it was served to me in styrofoam. A place that is connected with an established hotel in Treasure Beach that is run by someone so community minded could be the one to pick up the ball and lead the way. Others would follow.

Have gotten things served to me at Jack Sprat in styrofoam. Ate there. This was not for take out.

Hi Envirogirl, many, many, many places use styrofoam in TB:

The small cook shop between Jakes & Jack Sprat
JackSprat
Frenchmen's Reef
Diner's Delite
Smurf's Cafe
Shaneen's cook shop
De Lickle Dimond Cook shop

...I doubt you'll find an establishment that doesn't use styrofoam, primarily for take away orders. Glad you're bringing light to this!

One love.

The Pelican Bar uses plastic plates which are then carefully washed. Drinks are served from bottles and there is a place to put the tops. If they can do it what excuse do the restaurants on land have for polluting our environment?

Amen, Pelican Bar Fan.

Seem that plastic bottle take even more time to decompose than Styrofoam (450 year for plastic bottle!!!) (see links below)

For the plastic bottles, there is a collect point on the parking of Jacksprat: bring them there, they'll recycle by a association in Kingston. Thanks for TB environnement

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151433449448950&set=a.443319963949.2383 88.336641393949&type=1&theater

Do they recycle clear only or will they take the green plastic like from Ting?

What about the glass bottles from Tropical Rhythm?

So what do you suggest people put boxed food (takeaway food) in? It is all very well to state the above but I dont see you suggesting any suitable alternatives.

Here's some suggestions to alternatives...I like banana leaves! Could someone make a business making take-away palm baskets??

http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/community-news/reuseable-contain ers-47011022

There are plenty of alternatives to Styrofoam. Here is only one website. It is the first one that popped up on Google so this does not mean I am endorsing this supplier: http://www.foodservicewarehouse.com/disposables/biodegradable-take-out-container s/c5512.aspx

Even if this place does not ship to Jamaica, there must be suppliers in Kingston or MoBay. If not, the restaurants could get together and have a wholesaler stock these for them. It is hard to imagine that Styrofoam is the ONLY thing used in all of Jamaica for carryout boxes. I also do not understand why ANY restaurant needs to serve out of anything that is not either washable and reusable or biodegradable. Tossing out serving plates and bowls is a waste of money and harms our environment.

I think you can bring all kind of plastic bottle.
Collect point is on Jack Sprat parking lot, behind wooden fence. Bring them in a (reused!) bag closed.

For glass bottle in Treasure Beach, I don't know. But here available in pdf the list of company involve in recycling in Jamaica (unfortunately mostly in Kingston).
www.jamentrust.org/education/recycling.html

I have myself a lot of glass bottles, green, content 1,5l. If someone interested to reuse (construction, vase, candle holder, content for homemade beverage, rolling pin, ...)

other idea to reuse (plastic and glass one) http://www.crookedbrains.net/2009/12/interesting_19.html

I am as concerned about the environment as anyone, but I find this thread somewhat insulting in tone. Has anyone who is condemning the use of styrofoam in Jamaica researched the economics of running a restaurant in Jamaica, especially in less populated areas like Treasure Beach? I'm sure proprietors would love to use a more eco-friendly material but they also need to be able to stay in business.

The last time I was in Jamaica, nearly a year ago, there were severe water problems and the resort where I stayed did not even have water (except for what they had delivered and stored on site) every day. This type of restriction might indeed influence whether a restaurant uses reusable or disposable dishes.

One thing my traveling partner and I try to do when we are in Jamaica is make sure we do not litter, clean up litter when we find it, and gently try to educate the people we run across to do the same.

TB Lover you speak the truth about water restrictions. On the other hand, even if it does cost more for biodegradeable items, that is one of the costs of running an eating place. I have been told the cost of electric has been going up at an alarming pace but you do not expect to rent a place that shuts off your lights at 8 pm because it costs too much to leave them on. We are now hearing how the boat drivers must get special licenses and insurance and this will probably cost alot, but I am guessing they will not be able to raise their rates. Petrol costs keep rising and the minibus drivers are not raising their rates whenever that happens. So if you are in business there are certain costs to bear no matter how awful or unfair they may be.

If there is no water to wash plates then I agree paper plates or similar should be stocked for that possibility but I do not think possible water shortages justify using those things on a regular basis and definitely not styrofoam.

I also wish to say thank you to you and your partner for taking the time and energy to clean up after yourselves and to try to instruct others to follow your excellent example.

There are plenty of establishments in the United States that still use styrofoam. Where I live, it has basically been outlawed but other states and cities aren't so "enlightened". However, I travel to learn about other places and ways of life, both good and not so good. There are many things about Jamaica and other places I visit that I wish were different but then my travels wouldn't be anywhere near as interesting.

I'd like to suggest that the people who think a boycott is the best solution stop and think about what that would mean for the owners and employees of these establishments. It is hard enough to earn a living in Treasure Beach. Perhaps you could help these places by identifying a supplier for biodegradable containers and investigating whether this would be an option economically and helping owners change over. This would be much more constructive than a boycott.

So what about good old fashioned cardboard boxes for take-out? That wouldn't do for soups but does perfectly for solid food.

Amen, TB Lover.
While a solution may seem easy ("simply stop using this product"), its often more complicated than that. Cost, availability, information, etc. all factor into what can be done, not what should be done in a perfect world.

Having said that, the more this issue is talked about and the more people learn of the problems with styrofoam the sooner reasonable and obtainable solutions will be found.

I agree that styrofoam use is undesirable, and a positive approach would be to inform the owners of establishments, you would prefer alternative, like paper plates, cardboard box etc. If you simply walk out of the restaurant, they won`t know why. Money talks. There are some options I have used in the past. When I live near a cookshop, I have asked if I can bring the plate home, and then carry it back.{ They know where you live..} another practise is bring your own container for take away.or you can get the food on a china plate and just put your left overs in a container you bring from home. I have found the restaurants in TB to be very accomodating when I have requested vegan, or unsprayed food.I get asked, before they serve, if I brought my own container sometimes.
I see paper plates and carboard boxes in the supermarkets, along side the stacks of scary styrofoam, so alternatives are available. At one time MacDonalds served their food in styrofoam but now use cardboard and paper after public pressure demanded it{ in my city anyway}.. KFC serves in paper and cardboard as well. so it is not "farrin" to JA.
Education and good business go hand in hand, and Supply=Demand. So keep the demand going.I am sure most places will at least offer an alternative to customers who request it rather than see you walk out!

Dorothy, I like your approach. It is only fair to SAY something to someone in the establishment instead of walking out. I would suggest you ask for the manager because someone working behind a counter at a larger place might not pass your message on so you doing that might result in nothing. If it's a small place it's likely you would be dealing with the manager or the owner anyway. Not sure if I want to carry my own plate to a restaurant but that is a possibility for others.

Hi Nella, I was staying right next door to a restaurant that year! Now, I bring some plastic containers in my suitcase from home, they are great to put fragile items, like sunglasses, in when travelling, and fit into my bag that I can bring to a restaurant for any food I want to carry away. If enough people refuse styrofoam,I believe the establishments will pay attention,and yes. It is important to let the manager know. Cheers.

Hi Dorothy, I think many of us working together can help solve this problem. One of the problems is that people living in Treasure Beach go to these establishments far more than people like you or me. Jamaicans - with no disrespect intended - have not been made aware enough of environmental concerns. I live near a river and the newspaper must say something about pollution at least once a week. I also have to divide my trash from my recycling. What then can be done about Treasure Beach residents who see no problem with styrofoam because I think people like us who are there maybe once a year if we are lucky will not be enough to make things change. I also would not expect tourists to pack their own plate. I barely remember to bring enough suntan lotion when I pack my suitcase.

Hi Nella.Just to clarify, I didn`t bring my own plate,I got my food served on a plate, then brought it back. I think education is the key,maybe visitors could give a presentation at the school/or provide material for the teacher. The community organizations,like Breds, at the Sports Park,and The Teasure Beach Women`s group, at their functions, could provide education and alternatives.. There is no formal Newspaper in TB, BUT there is the constant sussus on the road. so information does travel..rapidly. I have seen changes for the better over the years.Big Up to everyone for all the improvements.

This is my picture: