Friday, September 21, 2018

Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique Announce the Ban on Styrofoam Products


     Grenada is joining a number of Caricom Caribbean Community countries that have, in the recent past, announced plans to ban the use of styrofoam.   The Keith Mitchell Administration has given September 1, 2018 as the deadline for a ban on the importation of the product as the initial step in a phased approach to the eradication of styrofoam and reduction of single-use plastics, in keeping with the Non-Biodegradable Waste Control Act, which was passed in Parliament this year.

      The second phase will be a ban on the sale of styrofoam in the tri-island state, effective March 1, 2019, and by April 1, 2019, prohibiting the sale and offer for sale of food in or with these products. According to Climate Resilience and the Environment Minister Simon Stiell, ultimately, there should be “zero styrofoam across Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique”,     Speaking at the weekly Cabinet meeting, Stiell said that the ban is not being instituted arbitrarily, but in consultation with importers and other stakeholders.

The environment minister said it is encouraging to note that “many restaurants and many stores have already transitioned to alternative products, and the stated timelines are agreed upon by both importers and Government”.