Basseterre, St. Kitts 4 November,2025 – To maintain the momentum of the National Single-Use Plastic Ban, the Department of Environment’s Single-Use Plastic Ban (SUPB) Team recently collaborated with the Customs and Excise Department for an intensive week-long training session. The training, which took place from Monday, October 27th to Friday, October 31st, aimed to provide border protection officers with the latest knowledge and tools needed to effectively enforce the ban.
The training emerged from a series of collaborative follow-up meetings, where both teams assessed the initial implementation of the SUPB. Recognizing that robust enforcement is key to the ban’s success, the partners made a strategic decision to invest in a dedicated capacity-building initiative for the comptrollers and over 30 officers on the front lines.
“Laws are only as strong as our ability to implement them,” explained Mrs. Lynelle Morton, Department of Environment Single Use Plastic Ban Lead. “This training is not merely about sharing information, it is about building a shared mission. Our Customs colleagues are the guardians of our borders, and by empowering them, we are directly protecting our natural environment.” She added.
The curriculum was carefully structured around four central pillars:
1. Deepening Regulatory Understanding: Sessions provided a nuanced review of the SUPB legislation, ensuring a unified interpretation of banned items, exemptions, and legal frameworks across all agencies.
2. Enhancing Identification and Detection: Officers engaged in practical learning to sharpen their skills in identifying prohibited plastics, a critical function for effective monitoring at ports of entry.
3. Streamlining Enforcement Protocols: The training established clear, efficient, and transparent procedures for the seizure, documentation, and disposal of intercepted goods, ensuring consistency and fairness.
4. Fostering Collaborative Problem-Solving: Perhaps most importantly, the week served as a dynamic platform for open dialogue, allowing officers to share on-the-ground challenges and co-develop practical solutions.
The initiative underscores a core principle of the SISA movement that a sustainable future requires a whole-of-society approach. By bridging the gap between policy creation and practical enforcement, this partnership tackles environmental challenges at their source.
“This collaboration is a testament to how seriously we take our role in building a Sustainable Island State,” said Ozbert France, Senior Comptroller of Customs and Excise Unit “This training has armed the unit with greater clarity and confidence. We now have a deeper understanding of not just what we are stopping, but why it matters so much for our home. It’s about more than compliance. It’s about stewardship,” he concluded.
The benefits of this strengthened partnership flow directly to every citizen. By fortifying our borders against prohibited plastics, we collectively:
· Preserve Our Natural Heritage: Safeguarding our iconic beaches, vibrant marine life, and lush landscapes from plastic pollution.
· Advance a Green Economy: Encouraging investment in and adoption of sustainable alternatives, fostering a new market for eco-friendly innovation.
· Ensure a Healthier Future: Contributing to a cleaner living environment and improved public health for all Saint Lucians.
The Department of Environment extends its sincere appreciation to the Comptroller of Customs and Excise and every officer who participated with such dedication. This joint effort marks a pivotal chapter in our national journey, proving that through unity and shared purpose, we can indeed transform the vision of a Sustainable Island State into a tangible reality.
