Grenada Goes Green!

The Government of Grenada has expressed its commitment to environmental protection via the introduction of the Non-Biodegradable Waste Control Act  9 of 2018 aimed at reducing waste from non-biodegradable sources.  The items addressed thus far are expanded polystyrene food containers, commonly referred to as Styrofoam and plastic shopping bags.

The Act defines expanded polystyrene to mean any product made of expanded polystyrene and used for selling or providing food for consumption and includes food containers, plates, hot beverage cups, cold beverage cups, egg cartons, but excludes meat trays and vegetable trays.

With respect to plastic shopping bags, the Act defines them as any single-use shopping bag with handles and made of plastic.

The relevant dates with respect to the phasing out of the aforementioned non-biodegradable products are as follows: -The importation of expanded polystyrene food containers is prohibited from September 1st, 2018.
The sale of expanded polystyrene is prohibited from 1st March 2019

– The sale of food in Styrofoam containers is prohibited from 1st April 2019.

– The importation of plastic shopping bags is prohibited from December 1st, 2019

– The sale of plastic shopping bags is prohibited from December 1st, 2019

– The sale of food in non-plastic shopping bags is prohibited from 1st February 2020.

Failure to comply with the prohibition on importation on Styrofoam and plastic shopping bags can attract a fine as large as twenty-five thousand dollars.

Failure to comply with the prohibition on the sale of Styrofoam and plastic shopping bags can attract a fine as large as Four thousand, five hundred dollars.

Failure to comply with the prohibition on the sale of food in Styrofoam containers and plastic shopping bags can attract a fine not exceeding  Four thousand, five hundred dollars.

Article published by:
Rosana John LL.B. (HONS.) U. W. I.