The “Shipping Ceremony for Recyclable Materials” under the second phase of the “Solid Waste Management and Recycling Project” was jointly organized on the morning of April 8 by the Taiwan Technical Mission and the Ministry of Environment of St. Kitts and Nevis, among other partners. The event was attended and addressed by Ambassador Michael Lin, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Geoffrey Hanley, Minister of Environment Joyelle Clarke, and Nevis Minister of Health Jahnel Nisbett. Approximately 30 participants were present, including Deputy Minister of Environment Colincia Levine and other officials from both St. Kitts and Nevis.
In his remarks, Ambassador Lin emphasized that this project, in close collaboration with the SKN government, has helped build a foundational recycling system from the ground up. He noted that waste, when recycled, can generate greater economic value and contribute to the vision of a circular economy. To support the government’s new policy restricting the use of single-use plastic bags starting April 1, Ambassador Lin announced the donation of 400 eco-friendly shopping bags each to the Ministries of Environment in Saint Kitts and Nevis, on behalf of the Taiwanese government. Wearing a T-shirt made from recycled PET bottles, he showcased both the T-shirt and the reusable shopping bags at the event, explaining that future T-shirts and bags will also be made using the PET bottles shipped out today—gifts that will be given back to the people of SKN. His presentation was met with enthusiastic applause.
Minister Clarke, in her speech, expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Education for integrating recycling promotion activities into schools, allowing students to take part in the cause of sustainable development. She further emphasized that the success of the recycling initiative owes much to the strong partnership with the Taiwanese government, and extended her sincere appreciation to both the Government of ROC (Taiwan) and the International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF) for their support, stating that Taiwan is St. Kitts and Nevis’ best partner.
