• Covid-19
  • Travel Protocols
  • Immigration & Customs Form
Saturday, May 31, 2025
SKNIS
  • Home
  • About
  • Press Releases
  • Parliament
  • In The News
  • Bills
No Result
View All Result
SKNIS
No Result
View All Result
Home Featured

Statement by Minister: Dr Joyelle Clarke, Minister of Environment, Climate Action and Constituency Empowerment on Ban on Selected Single Use Plastics in Saint Kitts and Nevis: Phase 1 of 3

SKNISEditor by SKNISEditor
March 27, 2024
in Featured, Press Releases
FEDERAL CABINET APPROVES THREE-PHASED BAN ON SINGLE-USE PLASTIC ITEMS IN ST. KITTS AND NEVIS

Minister of Environment, Climate Action, and Constituency Empowerment, Senator the Honourable Dr. Joyelle Clarke

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Just over 18 months ago the St Kitts Nevis Labour Party Administration made a commitment to the people of St Kitts and Nevis and to the future of our beloved Federation with the  presentation of its mandate to transition St Kitts and Nevis to a Sustainable Island State.  Transitioning to a Sustainable Island State requires the input, collaboration, partnership, and  policy adjustment of every Ministry and sector. The Circular Economy (a system of reusing  materials in several production cycles) is one of the critical areas of transition outlined in the  SIS Agenda. 

The Ministry of Environment, Climate Action, and Constituency Empowerment will join the  interministerial efforts on the journey toward environmental sustainability with today’s  statement. Tuesday 26thMarch 2024 marks a significant milestone for environmental protection  for St. Kitts and Nevis. This action is a testament to our unwavering commitment to protect our  natural environment and foster a sustainable future for our nation. 

Related posts

SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS APPLAUDED FOR HOSTING LANDMARK GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE ISLANDS SUMMIT

SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS APPLAUDED FOR HOSTING LANDMARK GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE ISLANDS SUMMIT

May 30, 2025
SRSP RECEIVES EC$16,000 SPONSORSHIP CHEQUE TO ENHANCE ROAD SAFETY AND LAUNCH PUBLIC EDUCATION SERIES

SRSP RECEIVES EC$16,000 SPONSORSHIP CHEQUE TO ENHANCE ROAD SAFETY AND LAUNCH PUBLIC EDUCATION SERIES

May 30, 2025

The Cabinet has approved the three-phased ban on Single Use Plastic Items across the  Federation. 

Madam Speaker, while I need not delve into the pervasive challenge of plastic pollution, I am  compelled, nonetheless, to remind every Kittitian and Nevisian that every small action  collectively creates major movement in recycling, up-cycling, and limiting the use of plastics.  The small changes today will lead to incremental improvements in human and environmental  health. Our students collected thousands of pounds of plastic bottles last year. Our landfill is  bursting at the seams with plastics. What was once thought of as a viable solution to paper based products has now become the gravest problem for our oceans. Each year for 10 years a  single beach cleanup would remove upwards of 3000lbs of plastics from our coast. Our diet,  no matter how conscientious, has traces of cancer related micro-plastics. St Kitts and Nevis  must now do its part to protect lives and livelihoods. 

The announcement of this first phase of the ban has been the result of extensive consultations  with stakeholders, from the private sector to community groups, and backed by solid research  and evidence of the detrimental impacts of plastic pollution. I thank the former Minister of  Environment, Mr. Eric Evelyn, for taking us as far as he did while the Ministry was under his  leadership. 

Allow me to present the critical facts as answers to some of the expected questions: 

Where is St Kitts and Nevis in comparison to other Caribbean countries? To date, twelve (12)  Caribbean countries have banned using and importing single use plastic items. These include  Jamaica, Turks and Caicos, United States Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Aruba, Haiti, Barbados (from the OECS) St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica,  Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada. Our Federation is among the few remaining countries yet to do  so and the last in the OECS.

Will Legislation support this policy decision? 

The Ministry will present the (NCEMA) National Conservation and Environmental Management  Bill shortly. This bill will address the legislative needs for supporting the ban on single use  plastics. However, we anticipate the tabling of an Environmental Protection (Restriction on  Single Use Plastics) Bill, which when introduced would outline a comprehensive framework for  banning specific plastic items. 

How is the Customs and Excise Department involved? The legislative framework includes close  partnership with the Customs and Excise Department. Empowered under the Customs Act, the  Customs Department will play a crucial role in restricting the importation of the selected banned  items, ensuring that our borders serve as the first line of defense against plastic pollution. 

What are the phases and what items are banned under each phase? The implementation of  this ban is structured in three strategic phases, ensuring a smooth transition for our citizens  and businesses towards more sustainable alternatives. Each phase includes an importation ban  on select items followed by a three-month gap leading to a distribution ban. 

Phase 1: 

Ban on the importation of single-use plastic T-shirt shopping bags. As of December 31st,  2024, imports of t-shirt shopping bags will be banned. This is followed by a prohibition on the  sale and distribution of t-shirt plastic bags on March 31st, 2025. 

Phase 2: 

Ban on the importation of Foam food containers and plastic straws effective April 30th, 2025.  The sale and distribution of plastic straws and foam containers will be prohibited starting July  31st, 2025. 

Phase 3: 

Banning the importation of plastic cups, plates, and utensils on August 31st, 2025. A ban on  their sale and distribution effective November 30, 2025. 

Who are our partners in this process? 

Republic of China on Taiwan: Our commitment is further demonstrated through the  implementation of the Solid Waste Management and Recycling Project executed with our  bilateral partners the Taiwan ICDF program which has led on our national recycling program.  This joint effort has already made strides in changing behaviors and attitudes towards recycling  and waste management. I must extend thanks to all schools, teachers, students and parents  and the Ministry of Education for raising consciousness and pushing our recycling mandate. 

The Government of Canada through the work of our High Commission (Thanks to the work of  the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under the Leadership of the Rt Hon Dr Denzil Douglas)- has  graciously extended its support for conducting the relevant analysis of the cost of transition for  every citizen. This will help in determining (along with consumers and stakeholders) the  appropriate tax structures to incentivize and support transition. A team will be headed to Canada  to optimize this partnership.

Stakeholders: Thanks to all the supermarkets and vendors, who have already introduced a no  plastic policy. Thanks, to those who joined our no plastic bag Monday drive. Thanks to all  restaurants and hotels who have joined the Sustainable Tourism mandate under (the Leadership  of Minster Henderson) of no plastics already making the switch to biodegradable carry  containers. This level of volunteer change even in the absence of mandatory legislative bans is  laudable. 

Will there be duty-free concessions for biodegradable items? 

The Ministry of Finance (led by the Honourable Prime Minister) will subsequently announce the  approved duties for biodegradable items and plastic alternatives. We extend thanks in advance  for concessions that bring ease and facilitate transition. 

What are the benefits of banning single use plastic items? 

The benefits are measurable. St Kitts and Nevis joins the global community in ending plastic  pollution. April 22nd, Earth Day also sees an unwavering global commitment to end plastic  pollution for the sake of human and planetary health, demanding a 60% reduction in the production of ALL plastics by 2040. Madame Speaker, we do not act alone in banning single use  plastics. 

CLOSE: 

The Ministry of Environment et al cannot transition alone. Our success over the next year as  we move to each phase requires the collective effort of every citizen, every business, and every  visitor to our islands. We look forward to and will support our Plastic Free Music Festival and  Carnival. We look to each Ministry to collect and recycle and eliminate plastic bottles from  meetings and conferences. Simple collective steps towards a Circular Economy and a  Sustainable Island State. 

We call upon you to embrace alternatives to single-use plastics, to think consciously about the  products you use and dispose of, and to support our local initiatives aimed at preserving our  environment. 

Thank you.

Previous Post

NEMA UTILISES DRONES IN CARIBE WAVE EXERCISE FOR THE FIRST TIME

Next Post

The Climate Action Unit trains key stakeholders in Technology Action Plan to strengthen climate resilience

Next Post
The Climate Action Unit trains key stakeholders in Technology Action Plan to strengthen climate resilience

The Climate Action Unit trains key stakeholders in Technology Action Plan to strengthen climate resilience

WHAT'S HOT

SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS APPLAUDED FOR HOSTING LANDMARK GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE ISLANDS SUMMIT

SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS APPLAUDED FOR HOSTING LANDMARK GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE ISLANDS SUMMIT

May 30, 2025
SRSP RECEIVES EC$16,000 SPONSORSHIP CHEQUE TO ENHANCE ROAD SAFETY AND LAUNCH PUBLIC EDUCATION SERIES

SRSP RECEIVES EC$16,000 SPONSORSHIP CHEQUE TO ENHANCE ROAD SAFETY AND LAUNCH PUBLIC EDUCATION SERIES

May 30, 2025
MINISTER DUGGINS PLEASED WITH IMPLEMENTATION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY IN SPORTS PROJECT

Official Statement from Hon. Samal Duggins, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Marine Resources; Sports; Small Business, Entrepreneurship, Cooperatives and the Creative Economy

May 30, 2025

BROWSE BY CATEGORIES

  • 2025
  • Attorney General, Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs
  • Bills
  • Featured
  • Featured Ministry
  • Government Projects
  • Home Page Slider
  • In Focus
  • In The News
  • Interviews
  • Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Marine Resources; Cooperatives; Entrepreneurship and Creative Economy
  • Ministry of Education, Youth; Social Development; Gender Affairs; Aging and Disabilities
  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade, Industry and Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Economic Development and Investment
  • Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Energy and Utilities; Domestic Transport; Information, Communication and Technology; and Posts
  • Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment; Climate Action and Constituency Empowerment
  • Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation; International Transport; Employment and Labour; Urban Development
  • Notices
  • Parliament
  • PMO Press Releases
  • Press Conferences
  • Press Releases
  • Prime Ministers Office, Ministry of Finance; National Security; Citizenship and Immigration; Health and Social Security
  • Register of Voters
  • Round Table
  • The Cabinet Secretariat, Cabinet Secteatry
  • Uncategorized

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

Facebook Pagelike Widget

LOCATION

St. Kitts Nevis Information Service
Government Headquarters
Chruch Street
Basseterre
St. Kitts
Tel:(869)467-1416

FOLLOW US

  • Government of St. Kitts & Nevis

© 2020 St. Kitts & Nevis Information Service. Developed by E-Government Unit

No Result
View All Result
  • Home

© 2020 St. Kitts & Nevis Information Service. Developed by E-Government Unit