Belmopan, Belize. March 30, 2022.
The Department of the Environment, within the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change, and Disaster Risk Management, hereby reminds the public of the upcoming phase-out date for the possession of PROHIBITED Plastics Products, which includes all items listed under Schedule II of the Environmental Protection (Pollution from Plastics) Regulations, 2020, such as disposable plastic and foam cups, plates, containers, as well as plastic forks, spoons, straws, and lids. The phase-out date for possession of these items is March 31, 2022, as stipulated by the Environmental Protection (Pollution from Plastics) Amendment Regulations, S.I. 17 of 2022.
Importers and retailers are advised that possession of any PROHIBITED items after March 31, 2022, will result in court action which can incur fines and the cost of destruction or the cost of returning the items to the country of origin.
The department advises importers and retailers to contact its office at info@environment.gov.bz to report any residual stockpiles and to make necessary arrangements for compliance with the regulations.
For more information contact:
Chief Environmental Officer
Department of the Environment, Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management
2557 Hummingbird Highway, Belmopan
Tel: 822-548/2819 Fax: 822-2860
Email: envirodept@btl.net or envirodept@environment.gov.bz
Website: www.doe.gov.bz
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