Importer lauds clarity around implementation of plastic lunch box ban

Despite “short notice” from the Government that the ban on plastic lunch boxes which was to take effect today has been further delayed until July 1, at least one importer of the product is relieved that some clarity has been brought to its implementation.

The importer, who spoke to The Gleaner on condition of anonymity, said he was peeved about the months of silence from the Government on the details of the ban, which affected his ability to prepare.

The ban, which is also extended to personal-care products with microplastic beads, was to be implemented on December 31, 2023, but was then pushed back to June 1, before being further delayed for an additional month.

Effective July 1, the importation, distribution, sale, or use of any single-use plastic food container made wholly or in part of polyethylene, polypropylene, or polylactic acid (PLA) will be prohibited.

This ban, however, excludes related transparent plastic lids until environmentally friendly alternatives become available. Additionally, existing stock imported before this date will be exempt.

On July first next year, the ban will extend to personal care and cosmetic products containing intentionally added plastic microbeads or microplastics. This measure allows for thorough consultation and sensitisation among private sector stakeholders and regulatory authorities, ensuring a smooth transition.

This additional one month extension for the ban on plastic lunch boxes, according to a statement from the Ministry of Economic, Growth and Job Creation, is “to fine-tune administrative arrangements, facilitate further stakeholder engagement, and ramp up additional public education”.

Senator Matthew Samuda, minister with responsibility for environment, said the further extension will “cause very little trade disruptions, but will enhance market readiness for the necessary changes”.

“Jamaica is progressing in line with implementing the measures that have proven to reduce plastic waste, but in a manner that creates the least inflationary impact and trade disruptions,” he said.

To facilitate the new regulations, amendments to The Trade (Plastic Packaging Materials Prohibition) Order, 2018 will be made. This will include expanding the definition of ‘single-use plastic’ to encompass plastic food containers and cosmetic care products with microbeads or microplastics, exempting transparent plastic lids related to single-use plastic food containers, and retaining the existing prohibition measures.

Importers of the product will be required to submit a pre-shipment declaration, including a quality or inspection certificate from an internationally recognised accreditation body, to aid regulatory agencies in identifying target products at ports.

Delay would damage credibility

But wary of the numerous delays to the ban, the importer expressed scepticism that it will actually be implemented on the stated date.

“I think that if it happens in July … if this is really the case, this honestly is enough lead time that preparations will be made,” he said.

While stating that Samuda has good intentions in protecting the environment from the effects of plastic, the entrepreneur cautioned the minister that any further delay would impact his credibility.

Further the importer would like to see the law expanded to define ‘reusable’.

Meanwhile, characterising the delays in implementation as symbolic of the Government’s urgency in addressing the impact of plastic on the environment, Diana McCaulay, founder of the Jamaica Environment Trust, stressed that enforcement will be key in ensuring that the ban is effective.

“I don’t think July is all that far off, but it just seems that’s the way we’re going about it, we have no sense of urgency about it, and then after the ban is implemented there is a big, big problem with enforcement,” she said.

“There are a lot of packaging problems that we still have that have yet to be satisfactorily dealt with either from the point of view of legislation or from the point of view of enforcement,” she added.

She is, however, hopeful that appropriate substitutes for these plastic products will eventually become mainstream.

“I hope we will find substitutes, we need packaging, can’t say there is to be no packaging … but it’s long, long overdue for us to find packaging that is not too harmful,” she said.

sashana.small@gleanerjm.com