Take Out Food Plastic Items Banned on March 31

Restaurants, food stands, as well as importers and retailers, may want to double check their stock to make sure they don’t still have any prohibited plastic items. That’s because the Department of the Environment will be enforcing the ban that comes into effect Thursday on disposable plastic and foam cups, plates, containers, as well as plastic forks, spoons, straws, and lids. The D.O.E. says importers and retailers who still have these items after March 31, 2022, will be prosecuted and fines levied. In addition, they will have to pay for the destruction of these plastics or shipping back to their country of origin.  Businesses are asked to email info@environment.gov.bz to report any leftover stockpiles and to make necessary arrangements for compliance with the regulations. The ban falls under Schedule Two of the Environmental Protection (Pollution from Plastics) Regulations, 2020.