Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation
For Immediate Release January 15, 2020
Government pleased with national response to plastic/Styrofoam ban
The Government of Jamaica (GOJ) is extremely pleased with the overwhelming positive national reaction and response to the plastic ban which includes the ban on polystyrene (Styrofoam) products.
Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation (MEGJC) with responsibility for Land, Environment, Climate Change and Investment, Hon. Daryl Vaz gave an update to the House of Representatives yesterday (January 14), following the recent implementation of the second phase of the ban pertaining to expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam) products, which came into effect on January 1, 2020.
“The support is estimated at over 90 per cent coming from the sector groups, other stakeholders and consumers in general. Clear evidence of the positive response is the rapid disappearance of single-use plastic bags and plastic straws from the trade and the pronounced behaviour change and attitude coming from the Jamaican people,” Minister Vaz told the House.
“We have now moved to phase two of the ban which restricts the manufacturing, distribution and use of expanded polystyrene foam (Styrofoam) products in the food and beverage industry.
“However, we expect an even smoother transition from the use of Polystyrene products to the alternatives on the market for the simple reason that persons and businesses have had a much longer time to prepare themselves for the ban,” Minister Vaz said.
On September 17, 2018, the Government announced a policy to implement a ban on single-use plastic (scandal) bags, plastic drinking straws and expanded polystyrene foam products used in the food and beverage industry in three phases starting January 1, 2019.
The third phase of the ban pertaining to the importation of straws attached to lunch juice boxes and drink pouches will come in effect as at January 1, 2021.
Minister Vaz noted that the Government developed and implemented a robust public education programme, using all media to support the ban which is but one measure to safeguard the nation’s natural and built environments.
“In doing so we were careful to engage all stakeholders including the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA); the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC); Small Business Association of Jamaica (SBAJ); National Consumers League of Jamaica; individual manufacturers; importers and distributors, among others,” he said.
He further noted that while prosecution is never the preferred strategy, the Government also saw the need to put in place fines for those who are non-compliant as well as ensure that the legislative backing was in place should enforcement of the ban become a challenge.
The maximum fine under the Trade Act (Trade Plastic Packing Material Order) 2018, is two million dollars while under the NRCA (Plastic Packaging Prohibiting) Order 2018, the fine is 50,000 dollars. Both Orders carry a term of imprisonment of two years, respectively.
To date, six businesses have been fined under The Natural Resources Conservation Authority (Plastic Packaging Materials Prohibition) Order, 2018, while 30 other businesses and individuals will face the courts in the coming weeks, Minister Vaz informed the House.
Speaking to the Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS) which was set up to provide cash to consumers who return their plastic bottles, Minister Vaz said that it is solely a private sector initiative, which is being implemented through the Recycling Partners of Jamaica. It was launched during September 2019.
“This follows the implementation of a $1 cess on plastic(PET) bottles to establish start-up capital. The Government’s ultimate target in the short-to-medium term is the recovery of at a minimum, 80 per cent of the PET bottles currently on the market,” Minister Vaz added.
He also highlighted that private sector partners have already established islandwide collection centres for PET bottles, and are to further fine-tune the collection system.
“Eighteen locations islandwide have been established as drop-off points by the RPJ, with the collection rate. RPJ will report quarterly to the GOJ, through the Minister with responsibility for the Environment, on its progress, successes and challenges as we move forward,” Minister Vaz said.
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