Bonaire Plastic free

Less Plastic, More Nature. Together for a plasticfree Bonaire

We all know the image: plastic bags drifting through the air, straws washed up on the beach, foam takeout boxes floating in the sea.
But not here. Not on Bonaire.

With the Bonaire Plasticfree campaign, we took a stand. Locals, businesses, and visitors alike. Together, we said no to single-use plastics.
And it worked. One step at a time, we turned the island into a cleaner, greener place for everyone.

 

The Campaign at a Glance

The campaign ran from January 2022 through December 2023.

  • On June 1, 2022, a ban went into effect on plastic bags, cutlery, straws, and stirrers.
  • On August 1, the ban expanded to include foam food containers.

This wasn’t just a policy change—it was a shift in mindset.

 

Why This Mattered

A single plastic bag in the ocean can kill a sea turtle. Microplastics end up in our food chain.

So we set one clear goal: Protect Bonaire from plastic pollution for the health of our people and our planet.

 

A Collective Effort

Businesses led the way. They informed customers, rethought their operations, and offered sustainable alternatives. “Plastic isn’t good for nature and I support doing better,” said Mazen Akkari from Döner Station. “We had trouble finding good-quality packaging at first. We even got complaints. But now we import bamboo cutlery and eco boxes from the Netherlands. It’s worth it to serve our customers and protect the island.”
Residents and visitors joined in. They brought their own bags, ditched disposables, and took part in beach cleanups and online webinars.

Everyone contributed in their own way. That’s how change happens.

 

The Campaign in Action

The message spread across the island. From grocery aisles to social media feeds.
We ran radio ads, put up posters, launched digital campaigns, hosted webinars, published articles, and answered real questions in a detailed FAQ.

On International Plastic Free Day, supermarkets handed out free reusable bags across Bonaire.
Want to see how it all came to life? Scroll down for a visual snapshot of the campaign.

 

The Work Continues

The campaign is complete, but the mission isn’t over.
We’re now working to expand the ban to cover even more single-use plastics.

Because every piece we avoid is a gift to Bonaire’s nature. And to future generations.

Inside the campaign

Share this story

What We Achieved Together

People showed up
Over 90% of locals and business owners knew about the ban and made it part of everyday life.
Plastic waste dropped fast
We saw over 60% less plastic in nature. That means cleaner streets, cleaner beaches, and a healthier sea.
Better choices took over
Reusable bags, bamboo cutlery, paper straws, you see them everywhere now. Up by 80%.
A shift in mindset
People started asking, “Do I actually need this in plastic?” That simple question changed habits all over the island.

Choose reusable. Set the tone. Show others what’s possible.