St Andrew businesses fined for breaching plastic ban

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) is reporting that four St Andrew businesses were today each fined $30,000 or 30 days in prison for breaching the plastic ban.

NEPA identified the businesses as Orient Express Limited, Doreen’s Restaurant, Taurus Garden, and Azan’s Discount Fabric Limited.

A fifth entity, Juici Patties Limited, was fined $15,000 or 30 days in prison.

According to NEPA, Juici’s sentence was in recognition of its record of good environmental stewardship.

Kidtopia Limited, which was also brought before the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court today, pleaded not guilty and the case set for mention on February 6.

NEPA says it has been on a drive to enforce the ban on single-use plastics.

On January 1, 2019, Jamaica banned the use of single-use plastic bags and drinking straws.

“NEPA has engaged in extensive public education campaigns, our enforcement team has and continues to work assiduously with stakeholders. However, there are still people and companies who are intent on flouting the law. The agency has ramped up its efforts and will continue to take action against offenders,” said NEPA’s attorney Stewart Panton in a statement.

NEPA is appealing to businesses to come into compliance with the plastic ban.

Failure to do so may result in criminal charges being brought under the Natural Resources Conservation Authority (Plastic Packaging Material Prohibition) Order or the Trade (Plastic Packaging Material Prohibition) Order.

The public is reminded that it is an offence to import, manufacture, distribute or use single-use plastic bags of dimensions not exceeding 24x24 inches and 1.2 mils in thickness and plastic drinking straws.

The importation, manufacture, distribution, and use of expanded polystyrene foam products used in the food and beverage industry is also prohibited.

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