THE Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (MNRE) has said it rejects any assertion that the proposed ban on importation of Styrofoam has been postponed indefinitely.

What has happened, the MNRE said, is that the date by which the switch is to be made to an alternative product to Styrofoam has been changed from June 1st to one that would be announced later. This development had been publicised in the media last week.

However, the MNRE expects this initiative to cause reduced usage of Styrofoam, with the litter that accompanies its usage; and this would, in turn, foster development of new enterprises, given that bio-degradable containers would replace Styrofoam products.

The MNRE told this publication that the litter wardens would begin overseeing implementation of the regulations governing solid waste disposal that have been passed in Parliament at the same time that the new date for a switch to an alternative to Styrofoam comes into effect. There would be consequences for failing to switch from Styrofoam, given that as a solid waste it impacts the environment negatively.

A National Stakeholder Consultation was held on the Styrofoam ban on November 18, 2013, but a second consultation is reportedly scheduled for some time in the future involving the Government of Guyana and private stakeholders.

Feedback
Cabinet has perused a memo on the ‘Restriction on Styrofoam Products’, which highlights the universal nature of Styrofoam as well as the disadvantages associated with its use. Two feasible measures were outlined: (a) Imposing a stamp duty and environmental tax charges on Styrofoam, a non-reusable, non-returnable commodity for one year; (b) Give the private sector incentives for them to import biodegradable alternatives to Styrofoam.

The ban on Styrofoam was decided on June 25, 2013.