KINGSTON, Jamaica— The Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) is calling on the Government to undertake a nationwide public education campaign on the upcoming ban on single-use plastic lunch boxes and personal care products that contain microplastics.

Shadow Minister of Environment and Ecological Heritage, Senator Sophia Frazer-Binns in a release on Wednesday stated that while the PNP agrees that the ban is necessary given its deleterious effects on the environment, there are challenges in how it will be handled by the government.

She further pointed out that during the implementation of the first phase, consumers and businesses were unprepared for the changes.

In addition to the public education campaign, the Opposition says that the government should also engage with critical stakeholders.

“Noting that several businesses which will be impacted have stated their lack of knowledge on alternatives and options, the Opposition Spokesperson expressed that the Government has a duty not only to ban plastics but to create a framework where the ban is least disruptive to businesses and individuals,” the release said.

Senator Frazer-Binns is also calling on the government to consider a further extension to allow all stakeholders to properly prepare themselves.

“The extension should not be an end in itself but must be accompanied by targeted public education and engagement, including the sharing of information as many consumers are still unaware of the personal care products which contain intentionally added plastic microbeads or microplastics,” Senator Frazer-Binns said.

She urged that this aspect of the ban must form part of the public education campaign.

Last week the ban on single-use plastic lunch boxes was extended to July 1 this year, while the ban on personal-use items containing microplastics or microbeads will take place on July 1, 2025. The ban was initially set to come into effect on June 1.

READ: Implementation period of 4th phase of single-use plastic ban extended to July 1

During the announcement of the extension, the government cited that the change was in response to concerns from stakeholders, and aims to fine-tune administrative arrangements, facilitate further stakeholder engagement and ramp up additional public education around the plastic ban.