St. Kitts and Nevis is advancing its phased ban on single-use plastics with collaborative efforts across multiple government agencies and support from the business community.

Hon. Dr Joyelle Clarke, Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Climate Action and Constituency Empowerment, expressed gratitude to the media, consumers, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, and other business entities for supporting the government’s ban of single-use t-shirt shopping bags.

Legislative and Collaborative Support

Minister Clarke emphasised that the transition requires more than just governmental intention, highlighting the necessity of supporting legislation.

“We recognise that the shift requires more than just government saying what its intention is, but legislation also needs to support the single-use plastic ban. And so, the Attorney General has confirmed that we will have a plastic regulation bill ready for the ban. The Minister of Trade will also be presenting to us and to the nation the international standards for biodegradable alternatives that all retailers and wholesalers can access to purchase the biodegradable options for importing to St. Kitts and Nevis.”