Just over 18 months ago the St Kitts Nevis Labour Party Administration made a commitment to the people of St Kitts and Nevis and 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 26th March 2024 marks a significant milestone for environmental protection for St. Kitts and Nevis. This action is a testament to our unwavering commitment to protecting our natural environment and fostering a sustainable future for our nation.
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 a 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 microplastics. 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, and 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 need to support 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 a 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 selected banned items, ensuring that our borders serve as the first line of defence 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 is 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 to our national recycling program. This joint effort has already made strides in changing behaviours and attitudes towards recycling and waste management. I must extend thanks to all schools, teachers, students 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 the 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 join 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 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.