I understand that plastic bottles are now being recycled on the island. I would appreciate if someone would clarify for me which ones. (i.e. small water, large water, coke light, etc.) Thanks,

This is great news! I hope it's true. I would also like to know when and what type. Thanks!

not sure about the water bottles. but certainly the plastic soda bottles.

only the large soda bottles, and I'm not sure that the machine that was purchased to "chip" them is in use...

We take all our plastic and glass bottles (even those with no return value) to Dona Julia who lives in the alley marked by the Ocean Essence Spa by Banyan Bay. Recycling is how she makes a living.

Ana - How do I find Dona? I think we'd like to do what you suggested. Thanks,

Me too. We won't be there til later this year, but I would love to take our bottles to her, both to help her and to keep them out of the trash. I'm an avid recycler here in the US.

Ana - will they/would they collect? I often see people on a Mexican trikes with bages of plastic bottles, perhaps it's them, perhaps it could be them! I would happily put seperate bins in our Vacation Rental for plastics - as would many other hotels etc.

We were at the bottling warehouse yesterday and clarified with them that they take back only the 5-gallon water jugs, but no other size water bottles. They did take back our small Coke Lite bottles, too.

I was informed (and very odd) that any plastic bottle containing a US branded product (Coke, Fanta, etc) could be recycled.

Dona Julia may take your bottles and recyclables, but if there isn't any real recycling at the source, it doesn't keep anything out of the landfill. Where does she take them? Duh?

It can be recyled.
But here's the deal. When I first moved to SP, I was looking for something useful to do.
I reasearched recycling. Here are my findings:
Yes, supposedly Bowen & Bowen procured a plastic chipper. Unfortunately, that's the first step.
Then I found out, there are no recycling companies in the country for these non-
biodegradable products (there are several levels and classifications of recyclables...class A, B, etc)
There are some in Mexico, but due to the, ahem, difficult relationship between Belize and Mexico, there would be no cross border possibilities of connecting up with these facilities (although Belize could make some money if they did work out relationships, but we know how that is).
And, the companies that recyle chipped class A and B recyclables, although in a State in the Gulf, in the United States; isn't interested in our recyclables unless we pay to ship them to their company.
This costs more than they are worth.
This means you need to have a plastic recycling and fabricating plant in your country. Mexico, when I last heard was "considering" they might be at this point.
So, you see, Barry Bowen got it...we are at a 1950s model of re-USING glass bottles.
Belize doesn't have the economic carrying capacity, as a third world country, to engage with the second or first world, to participate in their regular economic prctctices.

The last word is practices....the protocol wouldn't let me change it, geesh!

Julia, the recycling lady can be found in the alley just south of Marina's before Banyan Bay at the Ocean Essense Spa sign.
I could talk to her about picking up from designated homes on a certain day of the week if interested.

There is a real recycling company in Belize City. They hope to start up in San Pedro one day. They compress plastic and sell it by the bale to a firm in Asia.

Those of us that use Crystal water at home have made a BZ$30 deposit on each container so do not put them in the trash or leave them lying around.

Good news - I hope that they will move forward with this in the near future! It is so needed on Ambergris Caye.

Good! Deposits are a great way to minimize litter. The beverage litter I find on the road is clearly not from other countires - and it is mostly the small water bottles and bags. Next come Coke in plastic, chips bags, and styrofoam lunch packages.

Might be good to have some education, some trash barrels and maybe for the vendors of these snacks to do a little extra pick up themselves?

On the beach I'd say that plastic bottles (beverage, motor-oil, shampoo) top the list of trash items, but most have lost their labels long before they reach the shores coated in barnacles.

I've got a great photo of a sign out at Bird's Isle - will send along to Marty for posting.

:-)

Bowen & Bowen are doing recycling rewards program if you turn a specific kind of bottle you will get a glass crystal picture.

http://tacogirl.com/2011/05/recycling-in-belize/