B&V Plastics Submission:

It is with great interest that Butterfield & Vallis have been following the recent conversations about the proposed legislative changes to Single Use plastics in Bermuda. 

We believe that while some of the proposed changes seem extremely challenging to implement, we do support a migration away from single use plastics and towards more environmentally friendly packaging and containers. 

We have been actively engaged in finding solutions to this problem for a number of years and are regularly engaged with our suppliers to find more eco-friendly solutions. As has been pointed out in several other submissions, in Bermuda we are only able to sell what we can access. 

Global manufacturers rely on plastic as a consistent packaging material that can be used across multiple continents. As almost the rest of the world recycles plastic, it is seen as a reliable and viable option. Bermuda’s lack of plastic recycling is the great limitation to our ability to handle this material in the same manner. 

The pollution of our roads, beaches and water is of tremendous concern and is something that needs to be addressed. This issue is unique to plastic. B&V continues to participate in numerous KBB initiatives and what we find strewn about our roads and water is shocking. Whatever steps we can take to minimize the use of plastics should be explored and ultimately implemented but an outright ban at this point is challenging given the limited options available to us. 

Much of the compostable material that is available is only compostable in a mechanical environment, it is not something that you can readily compost without significant financial commitment. 

As has been documented previously, packaging for things like water, meat, chilled items, detergents are almost exclusively plastic based. We lack the population and influence to get manufacturers to change this practice. There is glass, tin and paper- based alternatives for select items and we work to secure them when feasible, however, whether in North America, Europe or most other global areas, items like meat are still packaged in plastic on a Styrofoam tray, as this is the most cost effective and retains the quality of product for the longest duration which is a critical factor when including transit times of perishables to Bermuda. 

With respect to the take away containers and utensils, we have an entire room of samples that we are continuously evaluating in an effort to contribute to the solution and not further exacerbate the problem. These items are absolutely more expensive than plastic and Styrofoam and these costs will ultimately be borne by the consumer. This is a simple economic reality. The other recently encountered challenge is supply as the continued pandemic is interrupting the regular supply of product from the USA. 

We support the effort to continue to provide the most eco-friendly packaging solutions, however we believe that the current initiatives as proposed are largely impractical and over reaching. A more measured approach may better serve to accomplish the aims being sought at this time.