Tiresome Tires

0 views

Skip to first unread message

Karen Hawes

unread,

Feb 16, 2011, 6:28:44 AM2/16/11

to Group - TrashTrip-Updates

Hello again,

Since the last update, we’ve traveled from Portsmouth, Dominica to Port Elizabeth, Bequia. How many miles that makes, I’m not entirely sure. We did, however, get in two interviews.

That may not sound like much but it’s not always an easy task to coordinate meetings, with one-day windows that tend to shift as easily as the winds. We are, after all, on a sailboat and phone calls are generally limited to when we’re on shore (and in an internet zone). I have been pleased with the interviews that have happened, with a third one being more informal (when at Deshaies).

What have I learned so far, in the Caribbean portion of my Trash Trip travels? I’ve learned many things. One thing that is more acutely noticeable on the islands, than on mainland US for example, is the persistent issue of plastics and tires. Or, maybe I should say tires and plastics. Hmm, it’s a toss up! Plastics, of course, are an issue we all know but tires are “handled” more efficiently – thereby making them less noticeable (on mainland US, that is).

Other than being oil-derived, these two imported goods share the trait for being durable. That is to day, “da tings don’t break down, you know. Ja man!” They do break down, in the sense that they become unusable for their intended purpose; however they do not break down as do more natural goods, like wood and metal goods. We humans must intervene. However, we have yet to do so in a more effective manner. This, in turn means that islands are faced with slowly-erupting volcanoes of waste tires, plastics, and many other durable goods.

How are people managing plastics and tires on the islands? Not easily, nor cheaply, that’s for sure.

If you’re lucky, you’re part of France and working within the EU. With these connections, you may received enough funding to cover all costs for exporting.