Spanish
The Dominican Association of the Plastics Industry (ADIPLAST) held the discussion "Breaking myths about plastic" this Thursday, promoting a more sustainable vision of containers and packaging, which are essential to preserve food safety and avoid waste, after the European Union officially launched the citizen campaign "Give Foam a Break" in the Dominican Republic, an initiative that seeks the total prohibition of its production, import and commercialization of this product due to its negative impacts on the environment.
The event took place in the business hall of the Association of Industries of the Dominican Republic (AIRD) Tower, and featured the special participation of Colombian expert Cristian Halaby Fernández, president of the Environmental Chamber of Plastics of Colombia. The moderation was in charge of Circe Almanzar, business advisor and consultant, and representatives from the companies Plastifar, Termopac, Termoenvases and Andosa attended.
During the opening of the discussion, José María Munné, executive director of ADIPLAST, welcomed the attendees and emphasized the importance of opening technical dialogue spaces to dismantle myths about plastic and make visible the sustainable solutions that the national industry is already promoting. He recalled that the plastic sector in the Dominican Republic is made up of more than 470 companies that generate around 42,000 jobs and contribute more than RD$59,000 million in annual sales, with exports exceeding US$700 million.
He also highlighted the productive chain of this industry with key sectors such as agribusiness, construction, pharmaceuticals and free zones. Munné reiterated the sector's commitment to a sustainable transition, based on clear rules, scientific evidence and public-private collaboration, while calling for the evaluation of successful regional models that have prioritized validated biodegradation and environmental education over prohibition.
For his part, during his intervention, Halaby Fernández, who chairs an initiative that brings together more than 150 companies in Colombia to transform the industry towards sustainable models, dismantled several common myths about plastic.
He assured that there is no scientific study that determines that the use of foam (expanded polystyrene) has effects on human health, and he stressed that it is recyclable and can be developed with biodegradable additives.
"It's not the material that's the problem, but what we do with it. Well-managed plastic can be part of the solution. The important thing is to have different alternatives that promote the circular economy: recycling, innovation, and the acceleration of biodegradation are the industry's answers," he said.
The specialist cited several frequent myths, such as the belief that packaging is not necessary for fruits and vegetables, that biodegradable products turn into microplastics or that they do not disappear at all.
He also explained that food waste accounts for about 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, so packaging plays a crucial role in its preservation. He reviewed the main types of plastics and their uses: PET, HDPE, PVC, LDPE, PP and PS, among others.
Biopact and concrete actions
As a future alternative, Halaby proposed fully adopting the circular economy, based on the "9Rs": redesign, reduce, reuse, recycle, renew, recover, repair, remanufacture, and rethink. In that sense, he emphasized that environmental education and separation at the source are key to preventing waste from reaching rivers, coasts, and soils.
The discussion also addressed the use of foam in the Dominican Republic, where this material is essential in the food supply chain for low-cost food, from the government's economic dining halls to street vendors, grocery stores, diners, and micro-enterprises.
One of the highlights of the meeting was the expansion of the BIOPACTO agreement, a self-regulation commitment signed by the companies Plastifar, S. A., and Termopac Industrial, S. A., which Termoenvases and Andosa are now joining. This alliance seeks to promote the sustainability of the sector through technology that allows accelerating the biodegradation of plastic, developing an integrated waste management and collection system for foam, reducing its impact on the environment, and promoting recycling.
This initiative is complemented by the NUVI FOAM program, which already includes differentiated collection routes, collection centers, educational campaigns in communities, and alliances with recyclers and local governments.
ADIPLAST reiterated that the industrial sector does not oppose change, and that it has invested in sustainable solutions. However, a legal framework was requested that recognizes biodegradable materials, as well as institutional support, time, and accompaniment for an orderly transition that does not leave thousands of people behind.
About Cristian Halaby Fernández
Cristian Halaby is a Colombian entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience in the chemical industry, recognized for his leadership in sustainability and circular economy. He is CEO of BYCSA and NEXU, pioneering companies in clean technologies, and chairs the Environmental Chamber of Plastics in Colombia.
Economist and political scientist from Pepperdine University (USA) and Master in Positive Leadership and Strategy from IE University (Spain), he has integrated sustainability as a strategic axis in his companies.
He also leads the Committee of Chemists and Agrochemicals of Fenalco Antioquia and is part of the Board of Directors of ACOPI Bogota-Cundinamarca.
One of its most recognized projects is ECOBYC, a brand of ecological packaging made with renewable and biodegradable raw materials, which has been highlighted as a success story in various international forums.
Passionate about the environment, Halaby has established himself as a regional benchmark in plastic biodegradation, green innovation, and purposeful business leadership.
