Bonaire continues to phase out harmful single-use items by eliminating styrofoam meal containers.
A couple of months ago Bonaire successfully banned single-use plastics such as straws and bags. In order to protect the nature of Bonaire and your health, styrofoam meal containers will be prohibited as of August 1, 2022. This ban applies to anyone on Bonaire who sells or gives away polystyrene single-use meal packaging.
The ban only applies to meal packaging made from polystyrene foam. These are takeaway containers for meals, side dishes, and accompanying sauces, which you can typically eat from the container and do not need any further preparation (such as baking, cooking, or heating). Think of polystyrene foam containers with and without lids and polystyrene cups for soup, for example.
An example of packaging that does not fall under the ban is packaging for meat products on the refrigerated shelves of the supermarket. The ban also does not apply to meal packaging made of materials other than polystyrene foam, such as cups made of traditional plastic or bioplastic.
The Public Body Bonaire encourages everyone to use reusable items whenever possible. As residents and visitors to the island, we are all responsible for keeping our living environment and nature clean and healthy. For example, bring your own items such as cutlery, drinking cup, or thermos.
Businesses will be visited to make sure they comply with the ban.
The Supervision & Enforcement Directorate has visited various supermarkets, catering establishments, and food trucks. The inspectors see that many of these companies already comply with the ban on plastic carrier bags, cutlery, stirrers, and straws. It is very positive that the ban is being properly observed.
We think it is important that companies that still use single-use plastic and styrofoam meal packaging after August 1 also quickly switch to alternatives. The supervisors of the Supervision & Enforcement Directorate will check again at the end of August.
Companies that continue to use single-use plastics may receive a paper warning. A formal administrative enforcement process will start if the company continues to use disposable plastic and styrofoam meal packaging. That means the company could be fined.
