REMINDER: THE EFFECTIVE DATE FOR RESTRICTIONS ON THE SALE AND USE OF SINGLE-USE PLASTICS IS AUG. 1.

On 1st August 2019, the Styrofoam and Plastics Food Service Containers (Prohibition) Act No. 22 of 2019 was enacted. The Act supports a ban on the importation of All Styrofoam and selected single-use plastic food service containers.

Following the suspension of elements of the Act that would have taken place 1st August 2020, the Department of Sustainable Development and its partners would like to remind the public and stakeholders of the following:

1. The continued ban on the importation of styrofoam and selected single-use plastic food service containers including hinged take away containers, disposable cups, plates, trays and bowls which took effect 1 st August, 2019. [Part A]

2. The effective date for the restrictions on the manufacturing, sale, distribution and use of the items banned for importation in 2019 is 1 st August, 2021.

3. The effective date for the ban on the importation of disposable styrofoam egg cartons, plastic: forks, spoons, knives, straws, hinged take-away containers and stirrers is 1 st August, 2021 and the further restriction on their manufacturing, sale, distribution and use as of 1 st August, 2022. [Part B]

4. Importers of items listed in Part B of the Act are encouraged to declare their stock as of 1 st August, 2021.

As Saint Lucia continues striving to reduce consumption and use of single-use plastic, we encourage the public to make responsible choices in its plastic use. Remember, ‘If you need it reuse it, if you do not need it refuse it.’

The Act is available for download by the public on the National Printing Cooperation’s website. For more information please contact the Department of Sustainable Development at telephone 468 5810/5863.