All set: Vaz expects smooth transition from polystyrene products
Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic
Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Daryl Vaz, says he expects a smooth transition
from the use of polystyrene products to the alternatives on the market.
This, he said, is due to persons and
businesses having had a much longer time to prepare themselves for the ban.
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Government pleased with response to ban on certain styrofoam, plastic products — Vaz[/naviga:li][/naviga:ul]
The Minister was speaking in the
House of Representatives on January 14.
As of January 1, 2020, the Government imposed a ban on the local manufacture, distribution and use of expanded polystyrene foam products used in the food and beverage industry.
In September 2018, the Government
announced a ban on specific categories of single-use plastics, effective January
1 2019, while at the same time, informing of the ban on styrofoam products in
January 2020.
“I believe that 15 months is more than adequate time for businesses to identify suitable alternative packaging at cost-effective prices,” Mr. Vaz said.
He noted that one of the concerns was that the alternatives would not be available in quantities to support the policy ban.
“However, the market has responded with a variety of reusable bags, containers and paper straws, making the transition easier. We also expect that the prices for alternatives will trend downwards in the coming months, based on the fact that businesses would have retooled as well as the competition in the marketplace,” Mr Vaz said.
Meanwhile, the Minister noted that as
was the case with the ban on single-use plastics, the Ministry of Economic
Growth and Job Creation and the National Environment and Planning Agency are
again partnering on an extensive public awareness programme regarding the ban
on polystyrene foam products.
“So far, we have visited the parishes of Manchester and St. Catherine. It is still early days regarding feedback, but it was noted that a number of establishments in these parishes are compliant,” Mr Vaz said.
He noted that there are a few areas
that will have to be revisited and appropriate action taken where necessary.