On March 11th 2015, our funding agency the Green Fund, advised that the Plastikeep Recovery Programme (PRP) would need to terminate all activities on March 31st 2015.

This decision means that the PRP team has 15 working days in which to notify all stakeholders, terminate existing contracts and mobilise to dismount our vast network of plastic collection bins; bins that are used to divert tonnes of plastic recyclables from our landfills. Additionally, our extensive educational programmes in the schools, community work, environmental clean-ups, governmental, corporate and NGO partnerships etc. will all cease with immediate effect.

What is most unfortunate and startling about the programme's abrupt ending is the fact that the programme is being terminated with nothing in place to fill the void that would be created. With the recent submission of our Phase Three application, Plastikeep hoped to achieve its vision of a gradual transition of the programme's assets, resources and stakeholder interests etc. into a nationwide agenda led by Government. This approach would have helped to ensure that all the time, effort and financial resources invested into the programme to nurture and establishing a culture of recycling would not go down the drain. Such a waste of national resource would indeed be an insult to stakeholders, in particular the business community - whose contributions to the Green Fund made our programme possible.

So while it is with deep regret that we inform the public that this valuable programme is being unceremoniously ended. We are appealing to you, not only to sign this petition but to call, write, email and text the Green Fund and the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources to express your firm support for the continuation of the programme and concerns regarding the flippant manner in which the programme would be terminated without alternatives being provided to the public (see contact details below).

We need your help to ensure that the social and environmental value of the PRP is truly understood by our Government.

Please sign this petition to ensure that Plastikeep's passionate contribution to sustainable development would not be in vain. We need your collective support to avert a decision that could result in the unnecessary wastage of national funds already invested into the PRP.

Regards,

TEAM PLASTIKEEP

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Mr. Richard Laydoo

Programme Coordinator,

Green Fund Executing Unit

Tel: 280-3027 / 225-3313

Email: Richard.laydoo@mewr.gov.tt

Mrs. Vidiah Ramkhelawan,

Permanent Secretary,

Ministry of the Environment & Water Resources

Tel: 623 3158

Email: vidiah.ramkhelawan@gov.tt

The Hon. Ganga Singh

Minister,

Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources

Tel: 223-MEWR (6397)

Email: joanne.estrado@mewr.gov.tt