Bonaire is phasing out single-use plastic.
In the summer of 2019, an agreement was reached banning single-use plastic on Bonaire, Saba, and St. Eustatius. The original goal was to have the ban in place no later than 2021. While many would have liked it to be immediate, a plan of action needed to be developed.
Plans to eliminate single-use plastic are on schedule.
As of March 2022, plastic carrier bags, straws, stirrers, and cutlery may no longer be sold or provided on Bonaire. In 8 months, this ban will also apply to styrofoam meal packaging. Companies are allowed to use up their stock of disposable plastic during the transition period.
The list of banned plastic products will be partially expanded. The current phase includes plastic carrier bags, straws, stirrers, cutlery, and styrofoam meal packaging. The selection of these products is based on broad support among the parties consulted, such as wholesalers, supermarkets and restaurants, TCB, Customs, and Selibon.
The OLB strives for a cleaner Bonaire with less litter for a healthy living environment. With this ban, OLB hopes to reduce the amount of single-use plastic on Bonaire. The large amount of single-use plastic in the sea and on land is still increasing every year. This is harmful to our environment. A plastic-free Bonaire is healthy for the inhabitants, crucial for the environment, attractive for tourism, and good for the economy.
The ordinance prohibiting disposable plastic was recently presented by the Provincial Executive in the Island Council. The Island Council has agreed to the Island Ordinance to ban disposable plastic (single-use plastic) six months after their agreement. The ban focuses on the sale and distribution of single-use plastic.
The information campaign will soon start in which the OLB will share more information with entrepreneurs and residents.
(Source: OLB)
