Jamaica has officially prohibited the importation, distribution, manufacture, and use of single-use plastic food containers, marking the end of a six-month transitional period on January 9, 2025.
The ban includes items made wholly or partially from polyethylene, polypropylene, or polylactic acid, as part of the government’s continued efforts to safeguard public health and the environment.
Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Matthew Samuda, affirmed the Government’s resolve in enforcing the prohibition.
"The government is confident that the prior six-month period allowed sufficient time for thorough consultation and sensitisation among private-sector stakeholders and regulatory authorities, enabling a smooth transition," said Samuda. He commended private-sector players who have adopted environmentally friendly alternatives and aligned with the Government’s waste management policies.
The restrictions are part of a broader policy that began in 2019 with a phased ban on specific single-use plastics, including plastic bags under 610 mm x 610 mm in size and 0.06 mm in thickness; plastic drinking straws; expanded polystyrene foam packaging used in the food and beverage industry and plastic straws attached to juice boxes and drink pouches.
The policy’s fourth phase, effective July 1, 2025, will extend to cosmetic and personal care products containing plastic microbeads or microplastics, banning their importation, manufacture, sale, and use.
Violations of the ban under the Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA) Act carry fines of up to $50,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both. The Government is also debating increased penalties under the NRCA Act to strengthen enforcement. Additionally, breaches involving the importation of prohibited plastic packaging under the Trade (Plastic Packaging Materials Prohibition) Order may result in fines of up to $2 million or imprisonment.
Minister Samuda urged the public to choose environmentally friendly alternatives to single-use plastics, noting the critical role these actions play in protecting health, lives, and livelihoods.
The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) remains at the forefront of monitoring compliance and driving public awareness, as the Government continues its proactive approach to addressing the environmental risks posed by plastic pollution.
