BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — ENVIRONMENT Minister Joyelle Clarke has announced significant progress in the government’s implementation of the Plastic Waste Reduction Act 2025, which aims to ban single-use plastics and Styrofoam containers across the Federation.
Since December 2024, the government has actively worked to phase out single-use plastics. Minister Clarke described Phase One of the initiative—a ban on the importation and sale of T-shirt plastic shopping bags—as a success.
The government has now shifted its focus to Phase Two, which targets Styrofoam food containers, egg cartons, and plastic straws.
“Importation of these items for Phase Two -- styrofoam containers, egg crates, and plastic straws -- was banned as of April 30, 2025. The distribution and sale of these items will be prohibited as of July 31, 2025," Clarke announced during a recent sitting of the National Assembly.
Since the bans came into effect, the government has observed a decrease in the number of shipments containing prohibited items, which Clarke noted as a positive sign of growing compliance among consumers and businesses.
The broader initiative forms part of the government’s Sustainable Island State Agenda, aiming to foster environmental consciousness among residents and reduce dependency on harmful materials.
“As one of the last nations in the region to implement a ban of this nature, St. Kitts and Nevis has benefited from observing best practices from our regional counterparts,” Clarke stated.
“To that end, we have introduced a licensing system to combat greenwashing, which involves the false marketing of non-compliant products as biodegradable.”
Under the new system, importers of bioplastics must obtain a license from the Department of Environment. Meanwhile, importers of other environmentally friendly alternatives—such as paper, bamboo, and wood products—do not require a license and will continue to benefit from duty-free concessions.
In accordance with the Act, all T-shirt plastic bags, including those made from bioplastics, are strictly banned.
