A two-part panel discussion will explore the impacts a ban on single use plastics could have on local businesses.

The Chamber of Commerce is hosting the Lunch and Learn events tomorrow and Thursday via Zoom. They will discuss a policy paper released in August by Walter Roban, the Minister of Home Affairs, aimed at eliminating the use of single use plastics.

Discussions will also consider the effect that the policy entitled Regulating Single Use Plastics could have on the environment and human health.

Kendaree Burgess, chief executive for the Chamber of Commerce, said: “While we applaud the environmental efforts, I am also keenly aware of the potential impact on many of our industries and encourage all to tune in to ensure the transition away from single use plastics is managed in a sustainable way.”

The first in the webinar series titled Regulating Single Use Plastics – The Way Forward, will take place tomorrow at 12pm. It will feature David Northcott, policy analyst at the Ministry of Home affairs and Vanese Flood Gordon, waste education and enforcement officer for the Waste Management section of the Ministry of Public Works.

It will begin by discussing the policy paper and the effects that single use plastics have on the environmental and human health, and what such legislation would look like for Bermuda businesses.

The second part will take place on Thursday at 12pm and will feature Katie Berry, executive director of Keep Bermuda Beautiful and Erich Hetzel, of the Bermuda Environmental Sustainability Taskforce. They aim to provide a deeper understanding of the environmental impacts of single use plastics on our lives.

Both sessions will be followed by a question-and-answer session.

The Chamber of Commerce said the webinars may be of particular interest to restaurateurs, retailers and any other business owners who buy and/or sell single use plastic goods.

The courses are free to all members of the community.

To register, visit The Bermuda Chamber of Commerce website at www.bermudachamber.bm