Plastic bags now illegal for businesses to distribute, sell and use

It is now illegal for business places in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) to distribute, sell or use disposable plastic shopping bags or sell or provide food in disposable plastic food service containers.

The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment in a release also advised that the prohibition on food business places includes supermarkets and whether the food is provided on or off the food premises.

The prohibition on disposable plastic shopping bags came into effect on August 1, 2020.

“Failure to comply with the above mentioned, a person would have committed an offence and liable on summary conviction of a fine of $5000.00 and to a further fine of $500.00 each day during which the offence continues,” the release said.

The Ministry said Environmental Health Officers would be visiting food businesses to ensure compliance.