Abstract

There is no effective infrastructure or state governance in the handling of domestic and industrial waste on Roatan. Existing dumps have many structural and operational defects and are generally located near the sea, creeks, and mangroves without proper containment. Furthermore, littering is common and causes numerous problems including blockage of natural drainage systems resulting in flooding and the proliferation of diseases: causing illness to local inhabitants. To understand this problem on the island of Roatan and create change within the communities, we began conducting brand audits in 2018; a citizen science initiative that involves counting and documenting the brand found on plastic waste collected during clean ups to help identify the companies responsible for plastic production. Data collected during reef, beach and creek clean ups indicated that the top five found were Coca Cola, Pepsi, Maruchan Inc, Ajegroup and Licorera Los Angeles. 8,589 pieces of plastic were collected between 2018 and 2019; 36% bottles (PET), 17% bags and wrapping (SL), 16% bottle covers (PP), 10% multilayered plastic (ML), 9% foam (PS), 7% others, 4% cleaning products (HDPE) and 1% construction material (PVC). Through this data a ban on plastic bags, plastic straws, and a phase out of foam was proposed to the local municipality; the campaign consisted of collecting signatures in communities, via change.org, implementing plastic bag diets (consisted of exchanging a reusable bag for a plastic bag in supermarkets and communities), a race to promote a plastic free Roatan and other meetings with local government to advocate for change. In 2019, the proposed ban as well as plastic bottles was approved by the municipality.

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