Stricter consequences for breaches of plastic ban being contemplated
MINISTER WITHOUT Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation Daryl Vaz says the Government is hoping to strengthen aspects of the law relating to breaches of the ban on single-use plastics. The ban takes effect on January 1.
Indicating fines that range from $50,000 to over $1 million for breaches of stipulations under the Natural Resources Conservation Authority Act and the Trade Act, Vaz argued, “Too often, we are using archaic outdated legislation and laws that are totally inadequate in terms of the consequences through fines and imprisonment, and whatever else.
“We are looking at that ... [and] I can assure the public that there will be teeth [in the law,”, the added.
He was speaking at the recent launch of the Integrated Water, Land and Ecosystems (IWECO) sub-national project to restore the hydrological and other features of the Negril Great Morass in Westmoreland.
PLASTIC BAN
Come January 1, the Government will impose a ban on the importation, manufacturing, distribution and use of specific categories of plastic packaging material.
They include single-use plastic carrier/shopping bags; expanded polystyrene, commonly called Styrofoam; and plastic drinking straws. The plastic materials are often improperly discarded, causing significant harm to the environment.
The ban will not apply to single use plastic bags used to maintain public health or foodsafety standards, including those used to package meat, flour, sugar, rice and baked products, such as bread.