Vaz (2020) Statement to Parliament on the Plastic and Styrofoam Ban, Jamaica.pdf

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STATEMENT TO PARLIAMENT
ON THE PLASTIC AND STYROFOAM BAN

BY
HON. DARYL VAZ M.P.

MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO
(LAND, ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE, INVESTMENT)

TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2020


Introduction

Mr. Speaker, let me take this opportunity to wish yourself, the staff of
Parliament and my esteemed colleagues on both sides of the divide, a
happy, safe, and prosperous new year at the beginning of a new
decade.

I stand here today to give you a brief update on the plastic ban which
includes the ban on polystyrene (Styrofoam) products used in the food
and beverage industries as of January 1, 2020.

I will also give a brief update on the upcoming third phase which
includes plastic PET bottles, recycling and the Deposit Refund Scheme.


Update on the Ban on Single Use Plastics

Mr. Speaker, on September 17, 2018, the Government of Jamaica
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.


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The ban is but one measure to safeguard the nation’s natural and built
environments. The Ministry of Economic Growth & Job Creation was
challenged to fast-track the Orders to support implementation. Two
Orders were prepared and gazetted on December 24, 2018.


These are:

● The Natural Resources Conservation Authority (Plastic Packaging
Materials Prohibition) Order, 2018

● The Trade (Plastic Packaging Materials Prohibition) Order, 2018

Mr. Speaker, the Government developed and implemented a public
education programme, using all media to support the ban.


Stakeholder Engagement

In doing so, we were careful to engage all stakeholders as it went
forward with the policy ban 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.

A dedicated brand, Plastic Free Jamaica, was also established to mark
the start of the ban on January 1, 2019 as well as the implementation of
a dedicated hotline (876-285-8531) and email address -
policyonplasticban@nepa.gov.jm to handle queries. Over 800 calls
and emails have been received to date.


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National Reaction

Mr. Speaker, the Government is extremely pleased with the
overwhelming positive national reaction and response to the policy
announcement. The support is estimated at over 90% 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.


Monitoring and Enforcement

Mr. Speaker, prosecution is never the preferred strategy, but the
Government saw the need to put in the fines for those who are non-
compliant and 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 ($2M), while under the NRCA
(Plastic Packaging Prohibiting) Order 2018, the fine is Fifty Thousand
Dollars ($50,000). Both Orders carry a term of imprisonment of two (2)
years, respectively.

Unfortunately Mr. Speaker, to date, six businesses have been fined
under The Natural Resources Conservation Authority (Plastic Packaging
Materials Prohibition) Order, 2018. Thirty (30) other businesses and
individuals will face the courts in the coming weeks – making a total of
thirty six (36) businesses prosecuted, up to the present.

Warning notices were issued to the non-compliant persons and
companies before enforcement action was taken.


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Mr. Speaker, let me reiterate, the Government will be taking strong
enforcement action against those persons and companies that do not
comply with the ban.

The Jamaica Customs Agency has also held firm at the ports of entry
confiscating banned items, preventing them from entering the trade.


Ban on Polystyrene (Styrofoam) Products

Mr. Speaker, 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.


Mr. Speaker, if you recall, when we announced the plastic ban in
September 2018, at the same time we also announced that the ban on
Styrofoam products would come into effect in January 2020.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that 15-months is more than adequate time for
businesses to identify suitable alternative packaging at cost effective
prices.

Mr. Speaker, 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.


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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 market place.

I should note, Mr. Speaker, that the sole local manufacturer of
polystyrene (Styrofoam) products has opted to close that section of his
business. Mr. Speaker, it is unfortunate that in the process, 100
persons were made redundant.

However, at the core of the policy’s implementation is a greater focus
on pollution control with the aim of improving the lives of all Jamaicans
as well as safeguarding public health and the environment. Mr Speaker,
the measures we are adopting has Jamaica at heart, and it is Jamaica
that will ultimately be the winner.


As was the case with the ban on single use plastics, the Ministry and
NEPA are again partnering on an extensive public awareness
programme regarding the Styrofoam ban.

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 were compliant.

However, there are a few areas that will have to be revisited and
appropriate action taken where necessary.


Some of the benefits of the Ban

Mr. Speaker, since the ban, the country has witnessed a pronounced
reduction of plastics in the terrestrial and marine environment. We
have observed significant behaviour and attitude change with regard to
the banned items and Jamaicans calling for the banning of more items
such as utensils, pampers and other plastic food containers.


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Mr. Speaker, several business opportunities for large corporations and
MSMEs have also blossomed from this initiative with businesses being
developed to specialize in the alternatives.


Deposit Refund Scheme

Mr. Speaker, I now turn to the Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS). The
Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS) is solely a private sector initiative which
is being implemented through the Recycling Partners of Jamaica (RPJ).
It was launched during September 2019.

This follows the implementation of a $1 cess on 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% of the PET bottles currently on the
market.


Mr. Speaker, the private sector partners have already established
islandwide collection centres and are to further fine-tune the system to
collect PET bottles. Eighteen (18) locations islandwide have been
established as drop-off points by the RPJ.


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.


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Closing

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I wish to recognize and pay tribute to the
sterling work of my own Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation
and the leadership and staff of several public sector Departments and
Agencies.


They include the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA);
the Jamaica Customs Agency; the National Solid Waste Management
Authority (NSWMA); the National Compliance Regulatory Authority
(NCRA) and the Bureau of Standards, all of whom have worked
feverishly and with diligence to effect the Government’s policy, making
it a resounding success.