Plastikeep hopes for Govt assistance

Plastikeep Director and founder Rosanna Farmer said she is hoping for assistance from the Government and the Green Fund as the recycling NGO is facing eviction from their landlord in 11 days.

In a letter dated October 11, Plastikeep’s landlord – Scenic View Apartments – wrote to Greenlight Network president Robin Timothy informing them of outstanding rent for 17 months totalling $76,500. The letter said the rent was not paid despite promises and they will be instituting legal action to recover losses. The company also advised Plastikeep they must vacate the premises by October 29.

In a letter dated October 16, Farmer wrote to the Green Fund Interim programme coordinator Simone Browne and copied the letter from Scenic View Apartments. Farmer requested advice and guidance on the matter and copied her letter to Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, Finance Minister Colm Imbert and Planning and Development Minister Camille Robinson-Regis, the latter being the line minister for Plastikeep. Farmer yesterday said the $76,500 was part of about $1.2 million in outstanding debts which includes money owed to a trucking company, staff salaries and utilities. Farmer said she met with Robinson-Regis in January 2016 and was informed by the minister that she (the minister) had spoken to Rowley and there was agreement that the Plastikeep programme would go forward. Farmer said in May they were informed they met all the requirements, including financially for the Green Fund Project.

Farmer said that Massy Group came forward to pay the trucking company to collect the recyclables since September 2016 to the present. Robinson-Regis in a text response, reported from January 2010 to December 2015 Plastikeep received $10,679,684 in three tranches. She reported the Green Fund Advisory Committee was concerned that Plastikeep has not built the necessary capacity and sustainability to be an independent organisation, there are weaknesses to their approach to their waste recycling methodology which have not been addressed and a business plan has not been developed.

She also reported their activities were to be aligned with the Environmental Management Authority and Trinidad and Tobago Solid Waste Management Company (SWMCOL), which are currently working towards the establishment of a waste recycling authority.